If I Must Go (2023)
for alto saxophone and tenor saxophone duo
If I Must Go was commissioned by Aislinn Walters-Jakary and Garrett Evans in memory of Dr. Jeff Jordan. This commission was made possible through generous contributions from Casey Bowers, Craig Manteuffel, Kristin Pisano, Brad Dawson, and Galen Whisman.
Performed by Aislinn Walters-Jakary and Garrett Evans
The piece is based on the following two poems by Sara Teasdale, who was one of Dr. Jordan's favorite poets.
A Little While
Sara Teasdale
A little while when I am gone
My life will live in music after me,
As spun foam lifted and borne on
After the wave is lost in the full sea.
A while these nights and days will burn
In song with the bright frailty of foam,
Living in light before they turn
Back to the nothingness that is their home.
If I Must Go
Sara Teasdale
IF I must go to heaven's end
Climbing the ages like a stair,
Be near me and forever bend
With the same eyes above me there;
Time will fly past us like leaves flying,
We shall not heed, for we shall be
Beyond living, beyond dying,
Knowing and known unchangeably.
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Please contact me about ordering the score+parts! Thank you!