Two Songs on Poems by Robert Frost
2000
In the Fall of 1999, Anastasia and I developed an Independent Study around the idea of researching the American Art Song. Joined by Lisa DeSiro, and Tenor, Brent Reno, we performed a recital of songs based on the poetry of Emily Dickinson and Robert Frost, under the guidance of Jane Struss, faculty advisor. These are two of the five songs I composed for the recital, 21/21, Voices of Two Centuries, held at Longy on January 21, 2000.
Now Close the Windows
Now close the windows and hush all the fields;
If the trees must, let them silently toss;
No bird is singing now, and if there is,
Be it my loss.
It will be long ere the marshes resume,
It will be long ere the earliest bird:
So close the windows and not hear the wind,
But see all wind-stirred.
Anastasia Nikolova, Soprano
Andrew Eng, Violin
Russell Wilson, Viola
Catherine Stephan, Cello
Stopping by the Woods
on a Snowy Evening
Whose woods these are I think I know.
His house is in the village though;
He will not see me stopping here
To watch his woods fill up with snow.
My little horse must think it queer
To stop without a farmhouse near
Between the woods and frozen lake
The darkest evening of the year.
He gives his harness bells a shake
To ask if there is some mistake.
The only other sound’s the sweep
Of easy wind and downy flake.
The woods are lovely, dark, and deep.
But I have promises to keep,
And miles to go before I sleep,
And miles to go before I sleep.
Brent Reno, Tenor
Lisa DeSiro, Piano