Rain

1974 7 minutes
SATB a cappella
Text "Rain" by Hone Tuwhare

An experimental piece for unaccompanied choir (16+ voices).

The sections S, A, T, B are divided in 4

After completing the work I had doubts that it was possible to perform.

I now think that a good small choir could do it.

It is a setting of this poem by Hone Tuwhare (1922 – 2008):

Rain  I can hear you making small holes in the silence rain If I were deaf the pores of my skin would open to you and shut And I should know you by the lick of you if I were blind the something special smell of you when the sun cakes the ground the steady drum-roll sound you make when the wind drops But if I should not hear smell or feel or see you you would still define me disperse me wash over me rain

Rain 

I can hear you making small holes in the silence rain

If I were deaf the pores of my skin would open to you and shut

And I should know you by the lick of you if I were blind

the something special smell of you when the sun cakes the ground

the steady drum-roll sound you make when the wind drops

But if I should not hear smell or feel or see you

you would still define me disperse me wash over me rain