SSAA + piano, oboe

NOTE FROM THE COMPOSER

Of the 17th century English poets, Robert Herrick’s output has the closest kinship with music – song-like, lyrical, and melodious.   The poem, To Music, to Becalm His Fever (My Flight for Heaven) was written about 1660 and reflects Herrick’s marriage of music and poetry. At its basic level, this is a poem of “passage” from one stage of existence to another.  Music is the catalyst.  Music can distract, quiet the mind, make one laugh, remind one of past experiences or relationships, and soothe the soul.  This poem embraces music as a charm with mythical power to “melt pain,” and bring delight and anticipation to the soul.

TEXT

“Charm me asleep and melt me so. With thy decious numbers, That being ravished, Hence, I go. Away in easy slumbers”