Joyous Light of the World

Joyous Light of the World was composed in January and February of 1993. The title is taken from the final line of the poem by Frierich Ruckert which forms the text of the first of Gustav Mahler's Kindertotenlieder. The music springs directly from expereinces of personal loss and grief, both my own and those of the people closest to me. This music is affectionately dedicated to Preston and Nancy Franklin and to the memory of their daughter, Elizabeth Dowe Franklin.

 

Now the sun will rise as brightly
as if no misfortune had befallen in the night.
This misfortune happened to me alone,
the sun shines for everyone.
 
You must not enfold night within you,
you must let it drown in everlasting light.
A small lanp has gone out in my dwelling,
hail to the joyous light of the world!
 

P.B. 2/22/93