Three Poems of John Hall Wheelock
2007, for Baritone & Piano
Length: 10 minutes
Revision: 1
Difficulty: Moderate to Difficult
Cost per Copy: $12.50
While
browsing through some poetry in 2006, I stumbled across the poem “The
Unknown Beloved” by John Hall Wheelock (1886 – 1976). This was
one of those rare poems that leapt from the page and cried, “Put me to
music!” I began to search for at least two other poems by
Wheelock that could be part of a song cycle about women or love.
As
it turned out, most of Wheelock’s poems about the heart depicted
trauma, tragedy, or bitterness – hardly poetry that would balance the
weightiness of “The Unknown Beloved”! It was not until I came
across one of his first books of poetry that I was able to find poems
of joyful love. “Whenever Two Lovers Meet” comes from this
collection. The middle poem of the three songs, “Unrest,” is
different from the other two poems in so many ways, yet it suggests a
lightness and etherealness that I think provides a satisfactory
complement to the rest of the set.
Poetry by John Hall Wheelock
The Unknown Beloved
I dreamed I passed a doorway Where, for a sign of death, White ribbons one was binding About a flowery wreath.
What drew me so I know not, But drawing near I said, "Kind sir, and can you tell me Who is it here lies dead?"
Said he, "Your most beloved Died here this very day, That had known twenty Aprils Had she but lived till May."
Astonished I made answer, Good sir, how say you so! Here have I no beloved, This house I do not know."
Quoth he, "Who from the world's end Was destined unto thee Here lies, thy true beloved Whom thou shalt never see."
I dreamed I passed a doorway Where, for a sign of death, White ribbons one was binding About a flowery wreath.
Unrest
There are three tremblings sweet to think upon: The trembling of a poplar-leaf in the wind, The trembling of a woman in the moment of love, And the trembling of the stars …
Whenever Two Lovers Meet
Whenever two lovers meet A new star in heaven is lit – Heaven is the banner of love, And night the memory of it.
The joyous embrace of love Calls a new soul from its sphere; At the music of two hearts beating God leans down to hear.
The song cycle Three Poems of John Hall Wheelock were written in 2006 for Philip Dixon, who premiered them on January 20, 2007.
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