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My Flight for Heaven
Charm Me Asleep
Composed by Z. Randall Stroope Voicing: SSAA Instrumentation: oboe and piano Catalog number: AMP 0957 Price: $1.90
Robert Herrick was born in August 1591 as one of seven children into an affluent
London family of goldsmiths. Clergyman and poet, he is well known for such quotes
as “tears are the noble language of the eyes” and “who covets more is evermore a
slave.”
Of the 17th century English poets, Herrick's poetry has the closest kinship with
music. In shoft, his poety is song-like, lyrical and melodious. “My Flight for Heaven”
(To Music, to becalm his Fever) was written about 1660, and reflects Herrick's
marriage of music and poetry, both title and application.
At its most basic level, this is a poem of “passage” with music as the embracing
catalyst. Memory research says that the last thing a person recognizes is touch and
music. Music can distract, quiet the mind, make us laugh, remind us of past
experience or relationships, soothe our soul, or transport us to another place.
Poetic interpretations are inherently limited (not in number, but in accuracy) unless
given by the poet. Nevertheless, the multiplicity of interpretations in this work is
indicative of the poem's greatness. Robert Herrick, often referred to as a
“songwriter” poet embraces music as a charm with mystical power to “melt pain”
and bring delight and anticipation to the soul's flight to another place. Let that
simplicity of thought absorb into each listener's psyche, still the mind and soul long
enough in a media driven existence to realize the fragility and purpose of life. And,
in so doing, live a life more fulfilling.
Performance Note: The oboe “voice” is the “charm” or incantation elemenl Although “D major” is the general tonal center at the onset and close of the work it is the infusion of the “color” notes, “E♭” and “B♭” that give the work an unsettled (and calming at the same time) mystical element.
About the composer recording performed by Cantamus (Women's Choir) Click here to hear a recording on YouTube. (MP4) ERRATA in the first edition |
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