Commissioned by the San Francisco Choral Artists

S.A.T.B. Choir — 4’00”

Premiere cancelled due to COVID-19. (June 7, 2020) San Francisco, CA. Magen Solomon, conductor

Shipwreck was commissioned by the San Francisco Choral Artists for a program in June of 2020 titled “Boats & Trains & Flying Machines.” Rather than writing a work that celebrates transportation, I chose to set a poem by Emily Dickinson that tells us about a ship that does not make it home. I was attracted to this poem by its strong imagery and for its use of assonance, for example, on the words crew, you, smooth, and blue. The poem gives us a sense of the power of the ocean, so I framed the text with a haunting melody in 6/8 meter - a kind of song of the sea or siren song - that accompanies this poor ship on its fateful journey.

It tossed - and tossed -

A little Brig I knew - o'ertook by Blast -

It spun - and spun -

And groped delirious, for Morn -

It slipped - and slipped -

As One that drunken - stept -

Its white foot tripped -

Then dropped from sight -

Ah, Brig – Good Night

To Crew and You -

The Ocean's Heart too smooth - too Blue -

To break for You -

- Emily Dickinson