Six Love Poems (Dickinson)
for women's chorus and organ

Poems by Emily Dickinson (1830-1886)

This setting was written for the The Women's Choir of Musical Faculty of the Moscow State Pedagogical University, Constantin Volostnov, organ, and Alexander Soloviov, conductor. It was premiered October 26, 2004, and is dedicated to my dear friend, Irina Dubkova.

#7. I HIDE myself within my flower, That wearing on your breast, You, unsuspecting, wear me too-- And angels know the rest. I hide myself within my flower, That, fading from your vase, You, unsuspecting, feel for me Almost a loneliness. #11. MY river runs to thee: Blue sea, wilt welcome me? My river waits reply. Oh sea, look graciously! I 'll fetch thee brooks From spotted nooks,-- Say, sea, Take me!

#25. WILD nights! Wild nights! Were I with thee, Wild nights should be Our luxury! Futile the winds To a heart in port,-- Done with the compass, Done with the chart. Rowing in Eden! Ah! the sea! Might I but moor To-night in thee! #37. LOVE is anterior to life, Posterior to death, Initial of creation, and The exponent of breath.

#43. POOR little heart! Did they forget thee? Then dinna care! Then dinna care! Proud little heart! Did they forsake thee? Be debonair! Be debonair! Frail little heart! I would not break thee: Could'st credit me? Could'st credit me? Gay little heart! Like morning glory Thou'll wilted be; thou'll wilted be! #51. MY friend must be a bird, Because it flies! Mortal my friend must be, Because it dies! Barbs has it, like a bee. Ah, curious friend, Thou puzzlest me!

Performances