'Cancer 1: T'amo, mia vita' was written in 2000, at a time I was embarking on a series of astrologically-inspired works dedicated to people of a certain Sun-Sign.
Pepe Becker (soprano), Joanne Hodgson (alto), Phillip Collins (tenor), Jeffrey Chang (mbira)
Pepe Becker Photo: Justine Lord
This piece, originally scored for mbira/thumb-piano and 3 voices, has also included electric bass or piano in some performances.
'T'amo, mia vita' is set to an Italian text by Cancerian poet Petrarch (1304-74), which is a favourite of mine. (The same text was also used by Monteverdi in his 5th Book of Madrigals, 1605, and Baroque Voices also performed this version alongside my one in our "Feel the Love" concert on 9 May 2015.)
"I love you, my life", Sweetly you say to me; And with this single so sweet word It seems that you change your heart; To make me master of it. O voice of sweetness and delight; Take it now, Love, Imprint it in my breast. My soul breathes only for you. I love you, my life; You are my very life.
(Pepe Becker, May 2015)
Recorded 9 May 2015 at St Joseph's Church, Wellington by RNZ Concert.
