Ben Morris
Ben Morris — Routine Surprise for mezzo soprano and piano
Recorded 3/11/2020 in Grusin Concert Hall, University of Colorado Boulder.
Maureen Bailey — soprano
Maggie Hinchliffe — piano
Mimi Harding — cover art
I. Morning
Eyelids heavy, like the moon
concedes to morning air,
sliding into consciousness
and into childcare.
Eardrums on the radio
while navigating dawn,
each routinely wondering
the composer of the song.
Ah, he sighs, I’m rarely right,
so Bach will be my guess.
I will guess Bach every day
until I am correct.
Ears and eyes awaken
with surprise as they discover:
Bach is playing every morning
now and through October!
II. Afternoon
Afternoon of black and white (a usual routine),
with repetitious ivories the center of the scene.
Rarely resting, only for her father’s inquiry––
a dialogue of dinnertime and daily wondering.
Mozart Meatballs? he suggests, adding then, Beethoven Bread?
Concluding cleverly, of course, Chopin Casserole? he said.
Stunning——his ability to generate delight,
routinely adding color to a life of black and white.
III. Evening
Wild nights were I with thee,
enchanting tune and poetry;
arpeggiating, racing piano
conversing with the star soprano.
Swirling skirts, they dance offstage,
breathless on their escapade,
collaboratively hypnotized
by lingering melodic lines.
Reciprocating compliments,
soprano to accompanist:
I saw your father——second row,
Did you see his face aglow?
Genuinely in surprise
because she never realized
while worryingly harmonizing,
he routinely beamed.
#artsong #newartsong #piano #mezzosoprano