Instrumentation: women’s choir (SA), flute, and piano
Text by the composer
Duration: 6:00
Commissioned by Betty Hensley, a flute performer, teacher, and collector in Wichita, Kansas. Dedicated to Betty Hensley, who played the flute part at its premier, and Betty Welsbacher, long-time director of the choir at the First Unitarian Church of Wichita.
Premiered at First Unitarian Church of Wichita; May 19, 1991.
Notes: The text arises from the simple image of a candle burning (hopefully, joyfully, etc.) in the wind. The piece is in an ABA “song” form; it presents a Lydian-Mixolydian twist to a basic E-flat major tonality ion the lyrical outer sections. The dance-like middle section shifts between Dorian and Mixolydian and emphasizes open 4ths and 5ths.
Like a candle in the wind,
Let hope shine on!
Like a candle in the wind,
Let hope shine on!
Let love shine on!
Let joy shine on!
Like a candle in the wind,
Let hope shine on!
Katherine Ann Murdock 