A Heart Is Turned at Christmas
Hymns & Carols
chorus with piano, solo voice with piano
work detail
instrumentation: for voice and keyboard
completion date: december 2023
duration: 3 minutes
texts: on an original text by the composer
audio
A Heart Is Turned at Christmas
dedication
Commissioned by Daniel M. Kurtzman (Esq.) for the Mendelssohn Chorus of Philadelphia 2023 Holiday Fundraiser, in memory of his father, Eddie Kurtzman, for whom the Christmas season brought him a reminder of how much he was loved.
text
A Heart Is Turned at Christmas text and tune by Dominick DiOrio
A heart is turned at Christmas A smile begins to form A fleeting glance, a lilting dance, A lifted cloud transformed. Shalom, shalom v’Laila tov His heart-hurt chill here warmed.
A bell rings out at Christmas A chime uplifts the soul, A change of tone, a glimmer shown Of happiness made whole. Shalom, shalom v’Laila tov His steadfast toil console.
A love affirmed at Christmas A family joined as one An easy yoke, a time evoked, Of merriment hard-won. Shalom, shalom v’Laila tov His sadness here undone.
Vouchsafe the vow of Christmas Of darkest wounds made light, Of magic seen, of spirit clean, Of wrongs now turned upright. Shalom, shalom, v’Laila tov And peace to him this night.
information
audio
A Heart Is Turned at Christmas
dedication
Commissioned by Daniel M. Kurtzman (Esq.) for the Mendelssohn Chorus of Philadelphia 2023 Holiday Fundraiser, in memory of his father, Eddie Kurtzman, for whom the Christmas season brought him a reminder of how much he was loved.
text
A Heart Is Turned at Christmas text and tune by Dominick DiOrio
A heart is turned at Christmas A smile begins to form A fleeting glance, a lilting dance, A lifted cloud transformed. Shalom, shalom v’Laila tov His heart-hurt chill here warmed.
A bell rings out at Christmas A chime uplifts the soul, A change of tone, a glimmer shown Of happiness made whole. Shalom, shalom v’Laila tov His steadfast toil console.
A love affirmed at Christmas A family joined as one An easy yoke, a time evoked, Of merriment hard-won. Shalom, shalom v’Laila tov His sadness here undone.
Vouchsafe the vow of Christmas Of darkest wounds made light, Of magic seen, of spirit clean, Of wrongs now turned upright. Shalom, shalom, v’Laila tov And peace to him this night.
