Gwyneth Walker

Peace, My Heart

for SATB Choir and Piano (2012)
for SSA Choir and Piano (2012)
for Voice and Piano (2012)

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Download a PDF file of the score (solo voice and piano) of this composition. This file of excerpted sample pages is for perusal only and is not printable.
Download a PDF file of the score (SSA and piano) of this composition. This file of excerpted sample pages is for perusal only and is not printable.


Composed in honor of Debra S. DeNoon of Evanston, Illinois

Peace, My Heartis an uplifting memorial song. The text, by Indian poet Rabindranath Tagore, speaks of the final voyage as fulfillment. "Let it not be a death, but completeness." The path of life moves towards this "beautiful end."

A recurrent image in the poem is of birds in flight, rising to heaven. Thus, the musical setting includes short "wing-like" accompaniment patterns to frame the choral singing.

The phrase, "Peace, My Heart," is initially presented gently, to offer comfort to the dying and to those left behind. Then the choral expression grows in intensity (marked "impassioned"), since the pain and beauty of the parting are deeply felt. As the voices fade away, the soul takes flight.

"I bow to you, and hold up my lamp to light you on your way."

Notes by the composer