Still, becoming
a meditation on the final moments of a life
And the individual atoms cycled through her body
and then cycled through wind and water and soil,
cycled through generations and generations
of living creatures and minds…
Released from their temporary confinement,
her atoms slowly spread out and diffused
through the atmosphere.
– Alan Lightman, Mr g
This final section of my album As the Universe Expands is a musical reprise of A Single Breath, but instead of the lyrics pointing to the beginning of a life;
a single breath
a beating heart
they now suggest an ending;
a final breath
a silent heart.
The atoms that have been gathering and scattering throughout this entire work are now released one last time, as Lightman so beautifully describes, to cycle…
through wind and water and soil…
through generations and generations
of living creatures and minds…
as such, they are…
still, becoming
There is a magical moment in the video at the very end of this piece, where each of the performers spontaneously look to the heavens. The reason was because of birds making a racket on the roof! But as I was editing the video it felt to me they were instead witnessing with wonder, the atoms of a life drifting away.
This work is dedicated to my mum and I sensed these words being played out at that moment…
Released from their temporary confinement
her atoms slowly spread out and diffused
through the atmosphere
Album release
Today, Thursday 26 June, is the official release of the album, which is now available on all streaming platforms as well as through Bandcamp as a download and CD.
This week it received a great review from a critic in my hometown of Adelaide.
Andrews, Craig and Cashman create magic with Lehmann’s beautiful composition and the production of the CD is of the highest standard. Musically, these brief pieces are delightful gems and the story they tell so concisely is compelling.
– Chris Reid
Listen on
Previous sections of As the Universe Expands
1.
2.
3.
4.
