Pages
A clear-eyed reflection on the world’s challenges, with a purposeful call to action
Music: Elizabeth Alexander
Words: Elizabeth Alexander
Following the patient, steady steps of visionary souls past and present, this introspective song reflects on the world’s challenges with clear-eyed compassion. By turns heart-lifting and heart-rending, it closes with a purposeful call to action.
Pages is the second movement of Kindling: Small Reflections on a Limitless Faith.
Note: This song may be performed with chamber ensemble (flute, horn, violin, cello, piano, string quartet) or with piano alone. In both cases choristers simply use the Choral Score. For chamber ensemble performances of this song, the conductor conducts from the conductor’s score of the complete work (SEA-123-10). Instrumental Parts are available through Seafarer Press.
Details and Ordering Information
Composer Notes
The news of the world often evokes sorrow, pain, fear and anger. But alongside hardship there are glimpses of perseverance and quiet determination. I brought that shifting emotional landscape into Pages, honoring the courageous actions of those who have come before us, and inviting us to follow their example.
Pages
On the pages of the morning paper,
People rebuild shattered schools and restore lifeless lakes,
Knit reconciliation out of promise and pain,
And sing to the deathly ill and the newly born.
Constitutions are still being written,
And slaves freed, and truces forged.
We finish our breakfasts and roll up our own sleeves.
Elizabeth Alexander
© 2015 by Elizabeth Alexander
Performers
SATB, flute, horn, string quartet
Premiere: Choir of First Unitarian Universalist Church of Houston / Jason Oby (Houston, TX)
Choir of Arlington Street Church / Mark Buckles (Boston, MA)
Choir of Mount Diablo Unitarian Universalist Church / Mark Tuning (Walnut Creek, CA)
Choir of Unitarian Universalist Church of Atlanta / Donald Milton III (Atlanta, GA)
Harmonium Choral Society / Anne Matlack (Chatham, NJ)
One Voice Mixed Chorus and Well-Strung / Jane Ramseyer Miller (St. Paul, MN)
St Luke Presbyterian Church / David Lohman (St. Louis Park, MN)
SATB, piano
Premiere: Choir of First Unitarian Universalist Church of Rochester, MN / Joseph Mish
University of Indianapolis Concert Choir / Meagan Johnson (Indianapolis, IN)
