Text is by Carl Sandburg

This is the second movement from Songs of the Night Wind.  He talks about summer stars, so near, picking off stars in the sky bowl.

Here is the text:  Bend low again, night of summer stars
So near you are, sky of summer stars,
so near, a long-arm man can pick off stars,
So, near you are, sky of summer stars, so near,
strumming, strumming, so lazy and hum-strumming.

Summer Stars from Songs of the Night Wind, String Quartet No. 2

This is based on a portion of a poem by Gerard Manley Hopkins.
"Look at the Stars, Look up at the Skies, I kiss my hand to the stars, lovely-asunder Starlight, wafting Him out of it and Glow, glory tin thunder; Kiss my hand to the dappled-with-damson west; Since, though He is under the world's splendor and wonder, His mystery must be unstressed, stressed; For I greet the days I meet him, and bless when I understand."

Starlight Night

Piano music originally included for The Madwoman of Chaillot.

Kilstofte, Madwoman of Chaillot

Aurelia's Theme

Joyce Kilmer served in WWI when he wrote this poem.  He compared the suffering of American soldiers in France with the suffering of Jesus Christ on the cross.  The poem clearly shows that the suffering could not possibly measure up to the cross.  I have included a portion of the traditional Latin text from the Stabat Mater which describes the emotions of Mary watching her son die on the cross.  The piece is for soloist, SATB choir, and pipe organ.  Performed by First Readings Project, Andrew Kane, soloist, David Moore, conductor. ©2018

Soldiers Prayer

Traditional Latin text Magnum Mysterium.  This iteration is the most complete.  The translation is O great mystery, and wondrous sacrament, that animals should see the newborn Lord lying in their manger.  Blessed is the Virgin whose womb was worthy to bear the Lord Jesus Christ.  Alleluia.  
This was premiered by Solis Camerata in Scottsdale, Arizona.  ©2017

Anne Kilstofte

O Magnum Mysterium

Estonian Camerata at Niguliste Church and Museum in Tallinn, Estonia.  Thomas Ohnesorge, conductor.

Children of Peace

Text by Charlotte Mew; from the larger work Requiem for Still Voices for symphony orchestra and SATB divisi choir.  Performed here by Estonian Camerata (a cappella) at Niguliste Church and Museum, Tallinn, Estonia.

Smile, Death

Praise Ye is based on later Psalms from the book of Psalms.  This is from a larger work but the culmination of the work.  Premiered by St. John's University, St. Benedict's Choir, Collegeville, St. Clement's Episcopal Church, St. Paul, Gethsemane Lutheran Church, Hopkins, MN.  Axel Theimer, conductor, Kim Kasling organ, at the Basilica of St. Mary, Minneapolis, MN; Faith Partners Commissioning Program - American Composers Forum and Otto Bremer Foundation. SATB divisi, handbells, double string quintet, pipe organ.

Praise Ye The Lord

This work tells of the Anasazi women and their lives among the rocks.  We trace through their footsteps, and listen to the water as it carves out their footsteps into grooves that become bigger and bigger.  This work conveys the song as if it is always there and we are merely walking towards it and, ultimately, away from it as it fades away.  This was performed by the Shrine of the Ages Choir, Edith Copley, conductor; Northern Arizona University. Text by Kevin Crossley-Holland. ©2011

Kilstofte_Soft_Footfalls.mp3

Kilstofte_Soft Footfalls

This is a reading session of The Starlight Night, from First Readings Project.

Anne Kilstofte

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