She Sang the Stars

for SSAA and piano She Sang the Stars uses the lens of Elias Lönnrot's Finnish epic, the Kalevala, to explore the stages of womanhood. With all texts in English translation, the work's outer movements act as an introduction and conclusion, while the central movements profile three female characters from the Kalevala at different stages of life: Ilmatar (Youth), Lempi (Warrior Mother), and Louhi (Wise Woman). Quartel's writing is rich in expression and rhythmic vivacity, with both voices and piano contributing to the evocative storytelling.