Alan Bush

Earth In Shadow

Orchestration:
Piccolo, 2 Flutes, 2 Oboes, Cor Anglais, 2 Clarinets in Bb, Bass clarinet, 2 Bassoons
4 Horns in F, 2 Trumpets in Bb, 3 Trombones, Timpani, Percussion (Tambourine, Side drum, Bass Triangle, Bass drum, Cymbals), Piano
Strings (Violin 1, Violin 2, Viola, Cello, Bass)
Mixed voice chorus (SATB)
First performed in 1986 by the Student Orchestra and Choir at Goldsmiths' College, London, this work is a setting of a poem by Nancy Bush. Although written 20 years ago, it has a particular relevance today with the current fears of global warming and man's destruction of the environment.
Now at last we have seen her
The earth with her wreath of mists, her garment of waters,
Her hemispheres marked with faint continents,
The earth, most beautiful of all the planets,
The earth. moving and turning in her sun-bound orbit.
A globe, blue and cloudy, hanging in space
So she appears to man from this new watchtower,
And seeing her thus entire,
Can he destroy her?
Many are blind to marvels.
For greed they will plunder, for fear bring down destruction,
Shut out the sun in freezing nuclear night.
A few may pause and turn back from a senseless holocaust.
What once is shattered never can be restored;
The earth once lost, is lost forever.
This they may understand.
From this protect her,
From this guard and protect her.
The earth, cradle of man,
The earth, treading her silent path among the planets.
Now at last we have seen her,
The earth with her wreath of mists, her garment of waters,
The earth, cradle of man,
Most beautiful of all the planets.
You can VIEW AND HEAR THIS SCORE by clicking on the link below. There is also a vocal score available (Catalogue number 03106) as well as a full score and the orchestral material which is available on hire or to buy.
Duration: c.10 minutes