"Voyages" was written for famed metropolitan Opera star George Shirley. He premiered it with the American Camerata, under the direction of John Stephens, in 1986.

In an earlier version the cycle had been called "Portals," after the second song.

This word - and the song - seemed to me to sum up that awful moment - thrilling for Whitman - when we move from life to death. At the suggestion of Mr. Shirley, I expanded the cycle, realizing that for Whitman the massive Portals - the Scylla and Charybdis successfully navigated - were less meaningful than the passage itself, that "infinite freed venture" of learning at last the secrets of the Universe. And in so doing, becoming a part of creation. This, then, becomes (at least for Whitman) the true meaning and purpose of life. And these are the true Voyages.

Shirley's performance with the American Camerata can be heard on:

American Camerata, Lydian Chamber Players, conducted by John Stephens.
AmCam Recordings ACR - 10313

Please contact Lawrence Moss for further availability details.