Stars [Alf:98-MB1264]

One of Eriks EĊĦenvalds' best-known pieces is presented here in its original, mixed-choir version. Setting a text by Sara Teasdale, the piece was commissioned by the Salt Lake Vocal Artists and Salt Lake Choral Artists under conductor Brady Allred. Tuned water glasses are a constant presence in the piece, a glistening accompaniment to the glowing simplicity of this vision of "beating hearts of fire" seen overhead on a still, dark night. The wondrousness of a "heaven full of stars" is evoked by a radiant chorale before a repeated oscillation of a pair of chords, adding to the magic, recedes into silence.