Program Notes

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Composed in 2007, A Cradle Song, was written at the request of Peter Alexander (Alexander Publishing) and is part of a larger project of Solo Compositions written for each major instrument of the Orchestra: Flute, Oboe, Clarinet, Bassoon, Horn in F, Trumpet, Trombone, Tuba, Violin, Viola, Cello and Double Bass. The project consisted of composing music for specific poems chosen by Peter that he felt reflected the character of each instrument.  For the Solo Viola, the poem assigned was A Cradle Song by William Blake.

 

A Cradle Song

by William Blake

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Sleep, sleep, beauty bright,

Dreaming in the joys of night;

Sleep, sleep; in thy sleep

Little sorrows sit and weep.

 

Sweet babe, in thy face

Soft desires I can trace,​

Secret joys and secret smiles,

Little pretty infant wiles.

 

As thy softest limbs I feel,

Smiles as of the morning steal

O’er thy cheek, and o’er thy breast

Where thy little heart doth rest.

 

O the cunning wiles that creep

In thy little heart asleep!

When thy little heart doth wake,

Then the dreadful light shall break.