Donemus Webshop — I Sit And Look Out

I Sit And Look Out : for mixed choir and orchestra / Bart Michiels; poetry by Walt Whitman

Other authors:
Whitman, Walt (librettist)
Description:
One gloomy day, while browsing some poetry, a poem by the great American writer Walt Whitman caught my eye: I Sit and Look Out.
The poem constitutes a critical reflection on various forms of social oppression throughout modern history. In the poem, Whitman depicts human nature as one of cruelty, injustice and indifference, suggesting the human tendency to ignore other people's suffering and not to intervene if it is not directly related to oneself.
Indeed, throughout history, individuals and societies have always succeeded in causing suffering and agony to each other, be it because of differences in belief systems, religion, skin color, gender, sexual preference or wealth.
Even today in COVID times, Whitman's analysis about human behavior remains accurate as the world is more polarized than ever before.
Inspired by the universality and topicality of Whitman's poem, I decided to use his text to write a piece for choir and orchestra, also lending his title for the work.
I wanted the music to reflect Whitman's dark depiction of humanity, thereby using the full force and colors of the orchestra. The mixed choir functions as the central observer in Whitman's poem, indifferently noting all the suffering and injustices around the world.
Despite the dark athmosphere throughout the piece, there are also shimmers of hope in moments where the orchestra & choir come together in a single unisono chant.
Bart Michiels, January 2022

Sheet Music
If you are going to perform this composition, you can enter your concert information here. We will publish this information at the Donemus Facebook page and in the Donemus Concert Agenda.
You can buy the parts or other related products on-line. If you choose a downloadable product you will receive the product in digital form. In all other cases the product is sent to you physically. Please note that you require a copy of this product for every user.
Product	Description	Price/piece	Count
Score	Download to Newzik (A3), 32 pages	EUR 23.92
	Download as PDF (A3), 32 pages	EUR 28.70
	Hardcopy, normal size (A3), 32 pages	EUR 47.84
	Hardcopy, study size (A4), 32 pages	EUR 32.56
Vocal Score	Download to Newzik (A4), 17 pages	EUR 5.96
	Download as PDF (A4), 17 pages	EUR 7.15
	Hardcopy, normal size (A4), 17 pages	EUR 11.93
Rental Part(s)	Download to Newzik (B4), 66 pages	EUR 31.93
	Download as PDF (B4), 66 pages	EUR 38.31
	Hardcopy, normal size (B4), 66 pages	EUR 63.86

Rent
You can rent this work by purchasing a rental license for one or more performances. If you buy a license you also need to buy 1 copy of the rental parts (see above). For each performance you need to obtain a rental license. More information about renting is available at the Donemus website. Please contact Donemus Publishing if you have any questions about renting before buying a license.
Number of performances
Total license costs
0

Live broadcast
If the work is being recorded for a live radio or TV broadcast or internet stream you can easily acquire the license for this. Any broadcast within 1 year of the recording of the work is defined as a 'live' broadcast. For every broadcast you need to obtain a license.
Audio broadcast (radio, internet)
Total license costs
0
Video broadcast (TV, streaming)
Total license costs
0

CD/DVD recordings
If you want to record this work to CD or DVD you can acquire a license here. For every title you need to obtain a license.
CD/DVD titles
Total license costs
0