"Seasons of Basho" for countertenor, piano, and cello by Jessica Meyer

In this piece, I took the enchanting haiku of master Matsuo Basho and sequenced the translated text in a way that narrates an age-old story of discovery, lust, loss, and loneliness using the unique combination of countertenor, cello, and piano. Basho's poetry is deeply rooted in nature, and I used the cyclical changing of the seasons as a metaphor for the highs and lows of obsessive love.

"Seasons of Basho" was made possible by a grant from the American Composers Forum with Funds provided by the Jerome Foundation, and was premiered in NYC on May 12th, 2015.

Many thanks to Alex Eingorn for introducing me to these wonderful poems, and the piece is dedicated to countertenor Eric Brenner, pianist Alex Le, and cellist Paul Dwyer.

Text:

SPRING

Won't you come
and see loneliness?
Just one leaf from the Kiri tree

With plum blossom scent
this sudden sun emerges
along a mountain trail

Lead my pony
across this wide moor to where
the cuckoo sings

SUMMER

Mogami River,
yanking the burning sky
into the sea

A lightning gleam:
into darkness travels
a night heron's scream

Summer moon -
clapping hands,
I herald dawn

AUTUMN

Sick on my journey,
only my dreams will wander
this desolate moor

Grabbing at straws
the strength to bear
our parting

Taken in my hand
it will vanish in hot tears
autumn frost

WINTER

Winter solitude
in a world of one color
the sound of wind

On the polished surface
Of the divine glass,
Chaste with flowers of snow

Years end,
all corners of this
floating world, swept