songs of parting
.program note
This small song cycle pairs two poems: James Merrill's "A Renewal" and Emily Dickinson's "The bustle in a house." Merrill's poem describes a moment of farewell between two lovers, while Dickinson's poem reflects the acceptance of a loved one's departure through death (an un-chosen separation). In setting music to the two poems, I wanted to (among other things) draw attention to each poet's single use of the word "love" in their final stanzas: this is the only word I choose to repeat, and I set it with the same harmonic identity in each song.
Having used every subterfuge
To shake you, lies, fatigue, or even that of passion,
Now I see no way but a clean break.
I add that I am willing to bear the guilt.
You nod assent. Autumn turns windy, huge,
A clear vase of dry leaves vibrating on and on.
We sit, watching. When I next speak
Love buries itself in me, up to the hilt.
--James Merrill The bustle in a house
The morning after death
Is solemnest of industries
Enacted upon earth, -
The sweeping up the heart,
And putting love away
We shall not want to use again
Until eternity.
--Emily Dickinson
.listen A Renewal (2.0 mb)
.listen The bustle (2.6 mb)
.instrumentation
Soprano, clarinet/b.cl., percussion, violin, cello
.history
- February 12, 2005 - Diba Alvi & IonSound Project (premiere)