THE SEA OF SUNSET
for soprano / mezzo-soprano and ensemble
 
A Reflective Contemporary Setting of Emily Dickinson
The Sea of Sunset (1999) by Lior Navok is an 8-minute composition for soprano or mezzo-soprano and ensemble, setting Emily Dickinson's evocative poetry to music. Featuring an intricate blend of trombone, double bass, and piano alongside the vocal line, the work masterfully brings Dickinson's timeless words to life through a spacious and vivid harmonic landscape. It offers performers a stunning, color-rich addition to the contemporary repertoire for soprano and ensemble.
 
Listen to the Recording and Find More Information Here
 
About the Music
The Sea of Sunset is an 8‑minute setting of an Emily Dickinson poem for soprano or mezzo‑soprano with trombone, piano, and double bass. Guided by Dickinson’s vivid, painterly language, the music unfolds slowly and spaciously, allowing the poem’s images of sea, light, and quiet motion to shape the sound world. The ensemble adds murmurs of wind and water, creating a reflective, atmospheric landscape that mirrors the poem’s sense of stillness and inward travel. It is highly suitable for professional singers and advanced conservatory‑level performers, making it ideal for Dickinson‑themed recitals, contemporary chamber‑vocal programs, or concerts exploring nature, atmosphere, and poetic imagery. The style features slow‑moving, image‑driven writing with a lyrical vocal line and ensemble colors that evoke sea and wind. 
 
Program Notes
The poems of Emily Dickinson are a very unique work of art. Most of her poems are filled with detailed descriptions, transforming the poems into a medium of pictures carefully painted and calculated. Yet, it is quite amazing that these poems came from the hand of a woman who lived a secluded life in her hometown of Amherst, Massachusetts. A clue may be found in one of Dickinson’s sayings: “To shut our eyes is to travel.” 
Navok notes that Dickinson's poems, with their vast, detailed imagery, require unhurried development rather than traditional song structures. In The Sea of Sunset, the composer allowed the poem's languid, natural imagery to guide the visual soundscape, incorporating instrumental murmurs of wind and sea to faithfully capture the poem's atmosphere.
 
Specifications
Duration: 8 minutes
Year Composed: 1999
Instrumentation: Soprano / Mezzo-Soprano, Tenor Trombone, Piano, and Double Bass
Poems By: Emily Dickinson
Language: English
 
Product Information
All Performers read from Score
Availability: Instant PDF Download (Performance Score)
Return Policy: Digital downloads are not eligible for returns.
Condition: New