Work
There Will Come Soft Rains
for mezzo-soprano solo, SSA choir, percussion, solo cello and string orchestra
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About
American poet Sara Teasdale (1884-1933) suffered from ill health throughout her life, although she published a number of highly regarded collections of poetry. In spite of falling in love with fellow poet Vachel Lindsay, she married a businessman, eventually divorcing him four years before she committed suicide.
Her poem There Will Come Soft Rains (from the collection Flame and Shadow (1920)) is subtitled War Time. It was her response to the events of World War I. In the poem she considers the war from the perspective of nature - the birds, frogs and trees who know nothing of the combat. She concludes that their lives would continue uninterrupted even if mankind disappeared from the earth: 'and Spring herself... would scarcely know that we were gone.'
This setting was written for St. Mary's Schola and St. Mary's Chamber Orchestra, St. Mary's College, Auckland to perform together. It features solos for mezzo-soprano and cello, to provide significant roles for two senior musicians.
Dedication note
Written for St. Mary's Schola and St. Mary's Chamber Orchestra, St. Mary's College, Auckland
Text note
Text by Sara Teasdale
Performance history
Performed by Georgia College Women's Ensemble with soloist Dr. Jennifer Flory, in Milledgeville, Gerogia, USA.