The Astral Sense is a three-movement song cycle for Mezzo Soprano and Piano. The text, written by Elizabeth Matson, describes the sublime and corporal effects of time passing. The first song in the song cycle has a fast, fluttery piano accompaniment that patters away throughout almost the entire song. The second song has jazz-like harmonies reminiscent of a moody standard from the Great American Songbook, accompanying the singer as she sings of spring, breath, and life taking wing. The third song is very fast, with bright repeated chords in the piano. A 3:2 feel is used consistently throughout the accompaniment, while the singer sings of “skin, pink in chagrin” and “now’s idle sin”.
This set would work well for a chamber recital or solo vocal recital series.
I.
Within deep eyes
You’ll recognize
Unearthly Sighs
Of sublime skies.
And like with fall
The end greets all
Though does not stop to socialize.
II.
Beneath the breast,
Under the chest,
Each breath does wrest
The soul’s sweet nest.
And like with spring
All life takes wing
And heart beat hides the meaningless.
III.
Atop the skin,
Pink in chagrin,
The lines drawn in
Show where it’s been.
And like with time
Each pointless rhyme
Will illustrate now’s idle sin.