First snow

for SATB a cappella choir
Poem by Marianna De Carlo

First snow describes contrasting feelings arising from the sight of the first snow of the year.

First snow is full of imagery and movement: herons flying toward warmer lands express the need for escape; the sky at sunset turning pale yellow like a withered marigold describes instead the need to surrender to winter; and the dance of reflections on the frozen pond represents the inevitable loss of the self in the contemplation of nature, which brings peace at last to the human heart.

The piece has been premiered by Kammerchor Manila, conducted by sir Anthony Go Villanueva.