Work for Solo Soprano and Tenor, Timpani, Gongs, Handbells and Strings. Commissioned by the St. David's Cathedral Bach Festival.
These settings of sixteen Haiku by the Greek poet, George Seferis (1900-1971), were written ontheGreek island of Aegina between August and November 1983.
The solemn and ritualistic character of the music was determined by the Haiku form, which may be thought of as a series of self-contained images, each with itsownidentity. The Greek texts, all of which are separated by and instrumental interlude, are shared between the soprano and tenor soloists, who sing the last 'verse' together after the sixteenth Haiku.
