- Songs of Separation is a work for mezzo-soprano soloist and orchestra written in 2023. Setting poetry by 13th-century poet, Rumi, Songs of Separation was commissioned and premiered by the National Symphony Orchestra.
- Notes on the piece by the composer:
- “We all, as humans, experience separation in a variety of forms. Whether it be through the death of a loved one, a break-up, a divorce or a permanent relocation from family and friends, a parting of ways is a part of life for us all. To illustrate this musically, I chose to use the timeless words of the 13th century Persian poet, Jalāl al-Dīn Muḥammad Rūmī to convey this inevitable human experience. Each of the four movements depict moments of grief, sorrow as well as hope and encouragement. Rūmī reminds us through his words that ‘What hurts you, also blesses you.'”1
- Click here to find the English translations for each of the four poems used in the work.
Sources
- “Songs of Separation,” Carlos Simon, accessed February 18, 2025, https://www.carlossimonmusic.com/works/songs-of-separation.
Cut IDs
26863