Look to This Day
Music of Sally Greenaway
Look to This Day weaves between the two worlds of jazz and classical music. It features a richly coloured harmonic palette typical of jazz artists like Kurt Elling, whilst paying homage to the traditions of French mélodie (art songs) such as those by Reynaldo Hahn. During the composition process, Greenaway was particularly interested in exploring the intertwining of the vocal line and the piano accompaniment. This results in both parts sharing the spotlight throughout the piece. The vocal part is challenging but in many ways quite cantabile, and the piano accompaniment is detailed with moments of shimmering and restrained grandeur.
The piece's lyrics are loosely based on an English translation of the poem 'Look to This Day' by Kālidāsa (India, c. 5th Century CE):
Look to this day, for it is life, it's life! The very life of life.
In its brief course lies the truth of one's existence.
The bliss of growth. the glory of action.
The splendour of achievement are but experiences of time.
For yesterday is but a dream, and today well-lived makes tomorrow a vision of hope.
Look well therefore this day. Such is the welcome to the ever new dawn.
Versions of this work appear in these recordings
Look to this Day
Sally Greenaway
Released 2023
Performed by Don Christopher and Anthony Smith
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