Program Notes
Sun on Water originated while living at Fool’s Paradise – Canadian artist Doris McCarthy’s home and studio – through the Doris McCarthy Artist-in-Residence Program of the Ontario Heritage Trust.
Sun of Water finds its inspiration in the mystery of winter sunrises on Toronto’s Scarborough Bluffs. The colours of the rising sun over Lake Ontario revealed a palpable silence and yearning from which the music emerged. The piece, written specially for Toronto’s Amadeus Choir, is for a cappella choir. The texts and musical influences draw from Western choral music, Arabic rhythms, Sufi, Muslim and South Asian devotional traditions.
Sun on Water begins quietly as deep waters rumble underneath. Sonic layers reflect the yearning of the sun and water, like lover and beloved, for each other. A burst of sun breaks forth. Yet, as the sun’s rays shmmer on the surface of the lake, the deep water still echoes their mutual yearning for ultimte union.
Text, Translation & Pronunciation
Surya
[suryɑ]
Sun, Supreme Light.
Nayno(n) se nayn milavo, mere Saheb
[nɛ nɔ̃ se nɛ nə milɑ vɔ mere sɑhɛbə]
Let my eye meet with yours, my Lord/Master/Beloved
De profundis clamavi ad te Domine:
[dɛ prɔfun dis clɑmɑvi ɑd tɛ dɔ mi nɛ]
Out of the depths have I cried unto Thee, O Lord:
Domine exaudi vocem meam
[dɔ mi nɛ egzaudi vɔtʃɛm mɛam]
Lord, hear my voice.
