Away, Tear Away (2003)

The bulk of Away, Tear Away was written between June and September of 2003. The title was inspired by a fragment of the poem Spell Against Sorrow , by British poet Kathleen Raine (1908-2003):

Black crow tear away
Rend away sorrow
Talon and beak
Pluck out the heart
And the nerves of pain,
Tear away grief.

There is a deep sense of spiritualism in the poem, which I believe is mirrored by the mood of the music.

The work is dedicated to the Mexico City Woodwind Quintet, who commissioned it through the Manitoba Arts Council.

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