Page 12 - Summer Program_06-2019

Schmetterling (Butterfly), Op.43, No.1 Edvard Grieg (1843 – 1907)
Edvard Grieg published his Lyric Pieces, a collection of 66 short pieces for solo piano, in
ten volumes from 1867 to 1901. Schmettering is the opening piece from the Op. 43 set,
composed probably in 1886 and dedicated to the composer Isador Seiss (1840 – 1905).

Choose Something Like a Star Randall Thompson (1899 – 1984)
(from Frostiana: Seven Country Songs)
Randall Thompson was an American composer, particularly noted for his choral works.
He taught at a number of colleges and universities, including Wellesley College, UC
Berkeley, Princeton, and Harvard. Thompson composed three symphonies and numerous
major vocal works including Americana, The Testament of Freedom, Frostiana, and
The Peaceable Kingdom. His most popular and recognizable choral work is his anthem,
“Alleluia”, commissioned by Serge Koussevitzky for the opening of the Berkshire Music
Center at Tanglewood.

In 1959, Thompson was commissioned by the town of Amherst, Massachusetts, to write
a piece commemorating its bicentennial. Because poet Robert Frost had lived in Amherst
for many years, had known Thompson for some time, and had admired his music, it was
decided that the commemorative work would be a setting of some of Frost’s poetry.
Frostiana: Seven Country Songs, a song cycle for combined SSA and TTBB choruses and
piano, premiered on October 18, 1959, in Amherst.

O Star (The fairest one in sight), Use language we can comprehend.
We grant your loftiness the right Tell us what elements you blend.
To some obscurity of cloud – It gives us strangely little aid,
It will not do to say of night, But does tell something in the end.
Since dark is what brings out your light. And steadfast as Keats’ Eremite,
Some mystery becomes the proud. Not even stooping from its sphere,
But to be wholly taciturn It asks a little of us here.
In your reserve is not allowed. It asks of us a certain height,
Say something to us we can learn So when at times the mob is swayed
By heart and when alone repeat. To carry praise or blame too far,
Say something! And it says, ‘I burn.’ We may choose something like a star
But say with what degree of heat. To stay our minds on and be staid.
Talk Fahrenheit, talk Centigrade.
- “Choose Something Like a Star” (Robert
Frost) from Collected Poems, Prose & Plays.

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