2112: A Song Cycle

For Mezzo-Soprano and Piano

by Jon D. Nelson

I. Roots

This movement opens up with images of a post-apocalyptic world. Here, the narrator describes how scientists have been experimenting on trees in a desperate attempt to revive what has been lost. However, their efforts are in vain because the trees have mostly been wiped out due to mankind’s relentless pollution and environmental exploitation.

The text and music in this movement both aim to create feelings of loss and desolation. The melody is haunting and reflective, capturing the mournful timbre of the narrator as she laments the absence of trees, which serve not just as a source of life but also as a symbol of hope and stability. The first half of the movement features an intentional, almost mechanical rhythm, juxtaposed with a somber and minimally driven, sobering text. This juxtaposition highlights the clash between humanity’s destructive drive on one side and the stark reality the now-scorched earth reveals.

Throughout the entire song cycle is this “impetuous ticking” conveyed by the piano through repeating patterns of simple left-hand chords. This ticking symbolizes urgency and time running out, likewise underscoring the narrator’s growing anxiety. The concept of a once-thriving forest pervades the cycle, except in the third movement, which is devoid of this ticking to create a sense of being frozen in time and despair.

II. Snuffed

The second movement, “Snuffed,” delves deeper into the emotional and psychological turmoil of the narrator. Surratt’s text exposes the distress and vulnerability of the situation. The narrator is depicted as desperate and anxious, calling out to a higher power, grappling with the harsh reality of her existence. The imagery of being hungry, turning inward, and feeling alone intensifies the feeling of desolation.

Musically, this movement is characterized by a sense of urgency and desperation. The harmonies are dissonant and unsettling, and the rhythm is erratic, mirroring the character’s frantic state of mind. The sky is dark and stormy, the urban environment is desolate with crumbling buildings and abandoned streets, and the overall color palette is subdued while faint dim light suggests a glimmer of hope.

In today’s world, “Snuffed” resonates with the increasing mental health challenges faced by individuals in the face of global crises. The movement aims to capture feelings of isolation and despair that many are experiencing, whether due to environmental disasters, political unrest, or personal struggles.

III. Unspoken

The third movement, “Unspoken,” represents an emotional breaking point for the character. This movement is intentionally wordless, suggesting that singing becomes the final language of human expression in humanity’s darkest hour. The narrator is beyond her breaking point and completely defeated, kneeling on the cracked, dry ground, her expressions anguished, and tears streaming down her cheeks.

The music in this movement is minimalistic and haunting, with long pauses and a sense of stillness that captures the character’s profound despair and emotional breakdown. The barren landscape with dead trees, stormy skies, again creates an atmosphere of hopelessness while subtle hints of reddish-orange in the color palette convey the intensity of the character’s emotions.

“Unspoken” reflects the overwhelming sense of powerlessness and defeat that can arise in the face of insurmountable challenges. In the context of today’s world, this movement speaks to the experiences of those who feel voiceless and marginalized, underscoring the need to find new ways to communicate and express emotions, even when words fail.

IV. Sanctum

The final movement, “Sanctum,” brings a contrasting vision of hope and serenity, albeit with a subtle and unsettling suggestion of peace. The character has reached a point of resignation and resolve to leave Earth and join the Mars colonies for the well-being of her unborn child. She had previously been contemplating staying on Earth and suffering the same fate as humanity’s home planet, but the looming birth of her child without a future has changed her situation entirely.

The text in this movement describes hopeful visions of a peaceful future on a terraformed Mars. The music is gentle and lullaby-like, with a warm, soothing melody that contrasts with the bleakness of the previous movements. The mention of “eco-dome-homes” sprinkled across the rocky slopes suggests a new environment to nurture life.

“Sanctum” serves as a reminder that even in the face of darkness, there is potential for new beginnings, hope, and ultimately peace. It reflects the resilience of the human spirit and the lengths to which a mother will go to ensure a better future for her child. In today’s world, this movement resonates with the idea of hope and human resolve in the face of adversity and the daunting task of making difficult decisions for the greater good.

Perhaps it is faithful to believe we have a choice;

What bravery must we find to get it right?