music by
Christina Whitten Thomas
The Arrow and the Song From Three Songs of Life TTBB choir and piano
poem by
Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
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Program Notes for Three Songs of Life These three poems by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow each approach life from a different angle. The Sound of the Sea is a melancholy musing on the unpredictability of life. Longfellow’s beautiful sea imagery reflects the changing tides of the human soul. The music has a contemplative, searching quality that only finds resolution within the final measures. In The Arrow and the Song, the poet confesses that he has found fulfillment in spite of the many uncertainties of life’s journeys. I have chosen a hymn-like setting for this movement in order to preserve the simple structure of this poignant text. A Day of Sunshine celebrates the freedom that one can enjoy if one chooses to live life to the fullest. In this concluding movement, the carefree flow of the piano supports the joyous choral lines, which weave together energetic melodies and driving rhythms. Three Songs of Life was commissioned by the Apollo Men’s Choir of the University of Southern California Thornton School of Music, Christopher Eanes, conductor. The group premiered the work on April 26, 2009. ~Christina Whitten Thomas
II. The Arrow and the Song I shot an arrow into the air, It fell to earth, I knew not where; For, so swiftly it flew, the sight Could not follow it in its flight. I breathed a song into the air, It fell to earth, I knew not where; For who has sight so keen and strong, That it can follow the flight of song? Long, long afterward, in an oak I found the arrow, still unbroke; And the song, from beginning to end, I found again in the heart of a friend.
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3
The Arrow and the Song from Three Songs of Life For the Apollo Men's Choir of USC Christopher Eanes, conductor
Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
Christina Whitten Thomas
Simple, yet stately q = 56
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? bb 44 Πb Piano
shot
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© 2009 CHRISTINA WHITTEN THOMAS All Rights Reserved
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4
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mf
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œ œ
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5 16
cresc. poco a poco
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f
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21
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œœœ
œ œœ œ
6 24
unis.
° bb ˙™ & b ˙™ ‹ end,
‰
? b ˙™ ¢ bb
Œ
3
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j œ
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of
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‰
end,
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in
the
3
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27
poco rit.
° bb & bw ‹ friend.
œ
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œ
Œ
Ó
∑
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∑
œ œ œ œ œ œœ œœœœ œ
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friend. 3
b &b b
{
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œ
œœœ J œœ œ J
œ
w w w w w
This score is not licensed for performance. Please visit MusicSpoke.com to purchase performance copies.