“Good Night, Dear Heart†Monday, March 16, 2009
“Good Night, Dear Heart†by Dan Forrest is a stunning example of choral music interpreting and expressing the deepest of human emotions. Forrest has taken a family tragedy as his muse, and poured out a musical elegy. The text is by Mark Twain - he placed it on the tombstone of his beloved daughter Susy, who died unexpectedly at age 24:
         “Warm summer sun
                         shine kindly here,Â
          Warm southern wind
                        blow softly here,
          Green sod above
                        lie light, lie light,
          Good night, dear heart,
                        good night, good nightâ€
Written for SATB divisi voices a cappella, this piece is an astonishing illustration of beautiful melody and rich harmonies reflecting an equally moving text. Perfect for a concert of commemoration and remembrance, festival or contest adjudication, or even for Memorial Day. Listen to the stunning recording here.