This morning/afternoon I had the wonderful opportunity to attend a concert by Cantus at Colonial Church of Edina entitled Dvořák: Going Home. It contained music of Dvořák, of course, and many other composers who he was influenced by or who he influenced, with fascinating stories and letters of the composers read to us by the singers. But the highlight of the concert for me was a world premier setting of a poem by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, composed by Byron Adams (b. 1955). It was worth the price of admission itself. I have replicated the text below. This work was commissioned by Cantus using funds from a Kickstarter campaign. What a wonderful application of Kickstarter! You have one more opportunity to hear this concert on Sunday, 3/23 at St. Bartholomew in Wayzata. Catch it if youre not going to the MN Orchestra concert that afternoon! cantussings.org/2013/09/06/dvorak-going-home/ Heres the text of Byron Adams setting of Eventide: The day is done, and the darkness Falls from the wings of Night, As a feather is wafted downward From an eagle in his flight. I see the lights of the village Gleam through the rain and the mist, And a feeling of sadness comes o’er me That my soul cannot resist: A feeling of sadness and longing, That is not akin to pain, And resembles sorrow only As the mist resembles the rain. Come, read to me some poem, Some simple and heartfelt lay, That shall soothe this restless feeling, And banish the thoughts of day. Such songs have power to quiet The restless pulse of care, And come like the benediction That follows after prayer. Then read from the treasured volume The poem of thy choice, And lend to the rhyme of the poet The beauty of thy voice. And the night shall be filled with music, And the cares, that infest the day, Shall fold their tents, And as silently steal away.
Posted on: Thu, 20 Mar 2014 19:51:15 +0000
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