Even in the barn's shade

Even in the barn's shade (2011)

Even in the barn's shade is a short piece for eight-part mixed choir. The work is a setting of a translation by David G. Lanoue of Kobayashi Issa, one of the preeminent writers in the haiku tradition. The text is a celebration of nature, as well as a statement of optimism. In setting Mr. Lanoue's translation of Issa's beautiful sentiment, I sought to capture a sense of reverence towards Mother Nature while supporting the emotions inherent in the piece's lyrics.

Even in the barn's shade was premiered by the Los Robles Master Chorale's êkō ensemble in March of 2013 after being chosen as a winner of the Los Robles Master Chorale's Young Artist Choral Composer Competition.

Los Robles Master Chorale's êkō chamber choir,
Lelsey Leighton conducting

Text:
Even in the barn's shade
if there's grass
there's autumn blooms.

- David G. Lanoue (www.haikuguy.com),
translation of a haiku by Kobayashi Issa

Performance History -

premiere:
Los Robles Master Chorale êko Chamber Choir, Lesley Leighton conducting; Messengers of Spring
March 3, 2013; Ascension Lutheran Church, Thousand Oaks, CA