Winner of the San Francisco Choral Artists 2007 New Voices Competition
Magen Solomon, Artistic Director
Magen Solomon, Artistic Director
Late, Late, So Late
For SATB Divisi, a cappella
click image for sample pages
mp3 - University Choir from Southeast Missouri State University, Cape Girardeau, MO
Peter J. Durow, conductor
Peter J. Durow, conductor
Live recording at the Forbidden City Concert Hall in Beijing on June 23, 2010 during a China Tour by the Indianapolis Symphonic Choir (Dr. Eric Stark, Artistic Director) and the Stetson University Choral Union (Dr. Peter J. Durow, Conductor). Videography by David Tiede.
The extended harmonies in "Late, Late, So Late!" were written to represent the voice of God. My intention was to give the voice of God all of the notes. After the work was premiered by the San Francisco Choral Artists as the winning composition in their 2007 New Voices Competition, Magen Solomon suggested that I alter the moments of rest (silence used to show a separation between God and man) for each repeating occurrence. In the published score, I used Dr. Solomon's idea to have the length of time for these moments of silence become shorter and shorter. This implies that the voice of God becomes impatient with the foolish who keep asking to enter the banquet hall.
Poem by Alfred Lord Tennyson (1809-1892)
"Late, late, so late! and dark the night and chill!
Late, late, so late! but we can enter still.
Too late, too late! ye cannot enter now.
"No light had we: for that we do repent;
And learning this, the bridegroom will relent.
Too late, too late! ye cannot enter now.
"No light: so late! and dark and chill the night!
O let us in, that we may find the light!
Too late, too late: ye cannot enter now.
"Have we not heard the bridegroom is so sweet?
O let us in, though late, to kiss his feet!
No, no, too late! ye cannot enter now."
From "Guinevere" and based on the parable of the Wise and Foolish Virgins. See St. Matthew 25.