The Inner Core for Low Voice and piano

for baritone, bass-baritone, or bass and piano Text: the composer (English) Duration: 55 minutes The work was commissioned through the generous support of Mashey Bernstein for the American Modern Opera Company First performance: February 28, 2026, by William Socolof, bass-baritone; Matthew Aucoin, piano Any audio or audiovisual use of this work must be licensed directly by the Publisher. Composer note The Inner Core is a cycle of love songs set to texts by the composer. This edition is for low voice (baritone, bass-baritone, or bass) and piano. The cycle is also available in transpositions for tenor and mezzo-soprano/countertenor. Performances of the full cycle should follow the order contained in this score. However, performers are also welcome to perform selected songs from the cycle in whichever order they choose. — Matthew Aucoin Songs wareham not coming back* little stone our spirit wild chokecherry failed ice the inner core acolita rocky woods two deer another life northern rivers** and you are not behind air's wall * In the song “not coming back,” the line “the life that we had a life ago” was written by Nick Pope ** The text of the song “northern rivers” includes excerpts from the book Under the Sea-Wind, by Rachel Carson, copyright © 1941 by Rachel L. Carson, renewed 1969 by Roger Christie. Used by permission of Yake Literary Management LLC