About Emily's Song 
As Players at the keys
Before they drop full music on;
He stuns you by degrees,
Prepares your brittle substance
For the ethereal blow,
By fainter hammers, further heard,
Then nearer, then so slow
Your breath has time to straighten,
Your brain to bubble cool, -
Deals one imperial thunderbolt
That scalps your naked soul.
Download PDF of "Emily's Song"
Emily's Song was commissioned by Carl Banner of the Washington Musica Viva for his Feb. 11, 2007 concert in Washington DC. The rather unusual combination of trombone and bass-baritone suggested something dramatic. I think this is amply provided by the first of two poems by Emily Dickinson:
He fumbles at your spiritAs Players at the keys
Before they drop full music on;
He stuns you by degrees,
Prepares your brittle substance
For the ethereal blow,
By fainter hammers, further heard,
Then nearer, then so slow
Your breath has time to straighten,
Your brain to bubble cool, -
Deals one imperial thunderbolt
That scalps your naked soul.
What is this amazing sentence describing? A Heart Attack? Falling in Love?
Tune in!
Download PDF of "Emily's Song"
Please contact Lawrence Moss for further availability details.
