compassion. love.

(2015)

scena for three voices and baroque ensemble

Selected and performed as Finalist of the National Centre for Early Music Young Composer Awards 2015, in partnership with BBC Radio 3.

  • Dunedin Consort; John Butt (keyboards); Mhairi Lawson (soprano); Nicholas Mulroy (tenor); Jon Stainsby (bass); Pamela Thorby, Frances Norbury (alto recorders); Huw Daniel, Colin Scobie (violins); and Alison McGillivray (viola da gamba) at The National Centre for Early Music (York) on May 14th 2015.

  • At the root of all humanity there is compassion and love.

    -njd.

  • 3 voices (1 soprano, 1 tenor, 1 bass) / 2 a.rec, 2 vlns, viola da gamba, chamber organ

  • 6’

listen

for the National Centre for Early Music and the Dunedin Consort First performance: John Butt (keyboards); Mhairi Lawson (soprano); Nicholas Mulroy (tenor); Jon Stainsby (bass); Pamela Thorby, Frances Norbury (alto recorders); Huw Daniel, Colin Scobie (violins); and Alison McGillivray (viola da gamba) at the National Centre for Early Music (York) on May 14th 2015. FOREWORD At the root of all humanity there is compassion and love. TEXT ORFEO, ACT IV (ed. Nathan J Dearden for the NCEM Young Composers Award 2015 in partnership with BBC Radio 3 and the Dunedin Consort) PROSERPINE unhappy unhappy man unhappy man unhappy, my lord, crying ‘Eurydice!’, aroused pity in my heart again I beseech your Godhead, accede to his pleas. I beg you by that fire which Love set great soul aflame, unhappy man console grief of wretched Orpheus, let his lady return to life, the joy of life. PLUTO stern and unyielding Fate oppose you, wife, nothing be denied to such beauty, wed with such pleading. Despite the decree, Orpheus may recover his beloved. But before his feet leave these depths his eager eyes must not turn towards her, for single glance must cause her loss. CHORUS of SPIRITS O mighty king of those who dwell in eternal shadow, our law is your command. Let Orpheus lead his wife from these dreaded caverns. PROSERPINE O blessed day. PLUTO Your sweet words revive Love’s ancient wound in my heart. CHORUS of SPIRITS Compassion. Love.