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To A Butterfly
by
William Wordsworth
(Composed April 20, 1802 - Published 1807)
I've Watched you now and full half-hour,
Self-poised upon that yallow flower;
And, little butterfly! indeed
I know not if you sleep or feed.
How motionless! - not frozen seas
More motionless! and then
What joy awaits you when the breeze
Hath found you out among the trees,
And calls you forth again!
This plot of orchard-ground is ours;
My trees they are, my Sister's flowers.
Here rest your wings when they are weary;
Here lodge as in a sanctuary!
Come often to us, fear no wrong;
Sit near us on the bough!
We'll talk of sunshine and of song,
And summer days, that were as long
As twenty days are now. |
Program Notes
Robert Schumann's intended career as a
concert pianist ended before it actually began. After inventing an
exercise gadget that he hoped would quickly strengthen his hands, he
over-used it and instead, permanently injured a finger. He was now forced
to turn his attention to composing.
Papillons, Op.2, written in 1832 is
Schumann's first significant musical composition. The music itself is not
meant to evoke images of butterflies (papillons). Rather, Schumann used
this title in reference to himself, emerging to a new life as a composer -
the way a butterfly emerges from the chrysalis to begin a new phase of
life.
"Papillons" is a musical
rendering of the ballroom scene from a chapter of the novel "Flegeljahre"
by Jean Paul Richter, Schumann's favorite novelist. This composition is
actually a series of twelve Austrian, German, and Polish dances, some
reminiscent of the Schubert waltzes (#11 and #15), another in polonaise
rhythm (#18). The finale (#19) is based on the "Grandfather's
Dance" (Grossvatertanz), a dance tune popular at weddings in the 17th
century. It usually marked the end of the evening's festivities. When
listening to the finale, imagine a masked ball coming to a close. The
guests gradually leave the ballroom, the clock strikes six, and the music
fades away. The "eleventh finger" in the finale was contributed
by Joanne Aquavia! |
