1. Where I Become You  SSAATTBB chorus
   
2. We Two Boys Together Clinging
   a) tenor-baritone soli, marimba/vibes, violoncello; or
   b) tenor-baritone soli, SSAATTBB a cappella
3. Not an End of Loving
   a) SATB chorus, or
   b) 2-part chorus (SA, TB or double SA and TB) with keyboard (harp) or optional chamber orchestra)

 

Not an End of Loving tracks a relationship from it intense romantic beginnings (Where I Become You), to its fulfillment of intimacy (We Two Boys Together Clinging) to the culmination and release into an eternal bond (Not an End of Loving).

Any of the pieces of this set may be performed separately.

No. 2 exists in two versions: one for tenor and baritone soloists accompanied by violoncello and marimba/vibraphone, and one scored for tenor and baritone soloists with a cappella choir.  In the set Not an End of Loving, it should be performed in the choral version.

No. 3 exists in two versions: one for SATB chorus a cappella, and one scored for two-part choir which may be performed by a treble choir, a male choir, or doubled to create SA-TB.  This second version is either accompanied by keyboard (harp) or a small chamber orchestra.

In celebration of the 25th anniversary season of the Lehigh University Choral Union, the members commissioned Steven Sametz to write a new work that would be premiered by the internationally acclaimed ensemble Chanticleer in concert at Lehigh.  Dr. Sametz has had a close relationship with Chanticleer, writing many works for them and conducting them in the Monteverdi Vespers of 1610.    “Chanticleer represents the highest levels of professional choral singing, just as we strive to achieve the highest levels of amateur choral art.   At the heart of this – the love of singing, and doing it to our utmost – we have everything in common,” wrote Sametz.  “I am deeply honored that the Choral Union has chosen this means of showing its pride in what we have accomplished over the years. Creating new music shows us that there is no end of loving (as the title indicates), especially the love that brings us together as singers.”

1. Where I Become You

Where I become you,
there where I am you
have become you
I sing beyond myself
light pulses of quicksilver song
a thing cast beyond all humankind

-Antjie Krog  (b. 1952)

2. We Two Boys Together Clinging

We two boys together clinging,
One the other never leaving,
Up and down the roads going—North and South excursions making,
Power enjoying—elbows stretching—fingers clutching,
Arm’d and fearless—eating, drinking, sleeping, loving,
No law less than ourselves owning—sailing, soldiering, thieving, threatening,
Misers, menials, priests alarming—air breathing, water drinking, on the turf or the sea-beach dancing,
Cities wrenching, ease scorning, statutes mocking, feebleness chasing,
Fulfilling our foray.

-Walt Whitman (1819-1892)

3. Not an End of Loving

Come make an end of singing,
come make an end of grief,
but not an end of loving,
no ne’er an end of love.
I made this song, beloved
with bitter weeping eye,
and yet I know that by God’s grace
we two shall see each other’s face,
and stand together hearts as one,
those constant hearts shall rest as one.

-Alcuin of York (c. 730-804)
(adapted from the translation by Helen Waddell)