First line of lyrics: Come to me in the silence of the night
Performance history: On 10 November 2017 in Great Reading Room, Seerley Hall, University of Northern Iowa: "Contrasts: Differences and Similarities in Choral Settings of Christina Rossetti’s Poetry" prepared by Coren Hucke in partial fulfillment of the Honors Thesis requirement at the University of Northern Iowa, performance by Taylor Else, Lauren Soukup, Dawn Vickers (sopranos); Annika Andrews, Aja Baskerville, Mallory Vallentine (altos); Aaron DeSantiago, Aricson Knoblock, Jonathan Norris (tenors); Joel Andrews, Andy Cutler, Will Lubaroff (basses) (Hucke, concert programme).
Recordings: "Echo." Choral music excellence, Performance by Schola Cantorum of Texas, Gary Ebensberger, conductor, recorded at the Texas Choral Directors Association Annual Convention in San Antonio, Schola Cantorum of Texas, Forth Worth, 1996. Fall 2009, performed by The Mixolydians. "Echo." YouTube, uploaded by The Mixolydians, 23 Dec. 2009, https://youtu.be/lkxrS_tladE.
Young, Robert H.; music (American, 1923-2011)
Rossetti, Christina Georgina; text (English, 1830-1894)
Other data reference(s): Record for "Echo : (SSATTB ; A Cappella) : [a sacred choral anthem for a cappella mixed voices]." WorldCat, http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/318273075. Accessed 20 Apr. 2020. Hucke, Coren. "Contrasts": Differences and similarities in choral settings of Christina Rossetti's poems. 2017, pp. 8-9 and concert programme. University of Northern Iowa, University Honours Theses, https://scholarworks.uni.edu/hpt/299/
Cataloguer: Diana Bishara, Jazmine Clement and Roxanne Lafleur, University of Ottawa
Fred Bock Music Company; Milwaukee: Gentry Publications
The Christina Rossetti in Music project website is hosted in Canada at the University of Ottawa Library, and we aim to comply with Canadian copyright laws. If you believe we have violated Canadian copyright law, please contact us at christinarossettimusic@uottawa.ca. The Christina Rossetti in Music project is strictly not for profit and intended for research and educational purposes only.
4 pages; performance time approx. 3 minutes
"She Sat and Sang Alway" [Robert H. Young]
First line of lyrics: She sat and sang alway
Rossetti poem(s): "Song" ("She sat and sang alway")
Composition history: "Commissioned by Hardin-Simmons University's Concert Choir [director Monte Garrett] in honor of Dr. Loyd Hawthorne's twenty-five years at HSU, October 1999" (Garrett)
Other data reference(s): Garrett, Monte. "Curriculum Vitae." Monte Garrett, https://montegarrett.com/curriculum-vitae/. Accessed 20 Apr. 2020. "She Sat and Sang Alway." Hal Leonard, https://www.halleonard.com/product/8739166/she-sat-and-sang-alway?subsiteid=5. Accessed 20 Apr. 2020. Hucke, Coren. "Contrasts": Differences and similarities in choral settings of Christina Rossetti's poems. 2017, pp. 8-9 and concert programme. University of Northern Iowa, University Honours Theses, https://scholarworks.uni.edu/hpt/299/
Cataloguer: Roxanne Lafleur, University of Ottawa
"For Sweet Things Dying" [Robert H. Young]
First line of lyrics: Why were you born when the snow was falling?
Rossetti poem(s): "A Dirge" ("Why were you born when the snow was falling?")
Place in the larger work: The first song of two in the song cycle called "Contrasts," settings of Christina Rossetti poems. The songs include "For Sweet Things Dying" and "A Birthday"
Performance history: "Premiered by the Santa Rosa High School Chamber Singers at the recent [1999?] ACDA National Convention in Chicago" ("Contrasts"). On 10 November 2017 in Great Reading Room, Seerley Hall, University of Northern Iowa: "Contrasts: Differences and Similarities in Choral Settings of Christina Rossetti’s Poetry" prepared by Coren Hucke in partial fulfillment of the Honors Thesis requirement at the University of Northern Iowa, performance by Taylor Else, Lauren Soukup, Dawn Vickers (sopranos); Annika Andrews, Aja Baskerville, Mallory Vallentine (altos); Aaron DeSantiago, Aricson Knoblock, Jonathan Norris (tenors); Joel Andrews, Andy Cutler, Will Lubaroff (basses) (Hucke, concert programme).
Other data reference(s): "Contrasts." Hal Leonard, https://www.halleonard.com/product/8739015/contrasts?subsiteid=5&. Accessed 20 Apr. 2020. Hucke, Coren. "Contrasts": Differences and similarities in choral settings of Christina Rossetti's poems. 2017, pp. 8-9 and concert programme. University of Northern Iowa, University Honours Theses, https://scholarworks.uni.edu/hpt/299/
First line of lyrics: My heart is like a singing bird
Place in the larger work: The second song of two in the song cycle called "Contrasts," settings of Christina Rossetti poems. The songs include "For Sweet Things Dying" and "A Birthday"
First line of lyrics: What can I give him
instrumentation: a cappella|piano (for rehearsal only)
initial sharps/flats: no sharps or flats
Rossetti poem(s): "A Christmas Carol" ("In the bleak mid-winter")
Notes about the text: This setting uses just the final stanza of the poem.
Ratledge, John; music (American, born 1954)
Other data reference(s): "My Gift." Carl Fischer, https://www.carlfischer.com/cm9302-my-gift.html. Accessed 21 April 2020.
Cataloguer: Emily McConkey, University of Ottawa
This score is copyright protected. A score can be consulted here: "My Gift." J.W. Pepper, https://www.jwpepper.com/My-Gift-/10352205.item#/submit. Accessed 21 April 2020.
"Copyright © 2013 by Carl Fischer, LLC. International Copyright Secured. All rights reserved, including performance rights."
3 pages; performance time 1 minute and 12 seconds
Record: CRM-christmascarolinthebleak-ratledge
"Come to Me in the Silence of the Night" [David Eddleman]
Composition history: "Originally an art song for solo voice" ("Come to me...")
Performance instructions: "Flowing." "SATB Voices a cappella or with Optional Keyboard." "The composer prefers this piece to be sung a cappella, but keyboard may be played lightly to insure pitch."
Dedication: "Dedicated to Susan Goldfarb in memory of her husband, Richard"
Eddleman, David; music (American, born 1936)
Other data reference(s): "Come to Me in the Silence of the Night." J.W. Pepper & Son, Inc., https://www.jwpepper.com/Come-to-Me-in-the-Silence-of-the-Night-/10047629.item#/submit. Accessed 21 Apr. 2020. Hucke, Coren. "Contrasts": Differences and similarities in choral settings of Christina Rossetti's poems. 2017, pp. 8-9 and concert programme. University of Northern Iowa, University Honours Theses, https://scholarworks.uni.edu/hpt/299/
Cataloguer: Diana Bishara and Roxanne Lafleur, University of Ottawa
This score is copyright protected. A score can be consulted here: "Come to Me in the Silence of the Night." J.W. Pepper & Son, Inc., https://www.jwpepper.com/Come-to-Me-in-the-Silence-of-the-Night-/10047629.item#/submit
"Copyright © 2008 by Carl Fischer, LLC. International Copyright Secured. All rights reserved including performance rights."
8 pages (pp. 3-10); performance time 2 minutes and 35 seconds
"In the Bleak Midwinter" [Andrea Ramsey]
First line of lyrics: In the bleak mid-winter
instrumentation: piano (for rehearsal only)|a cappella
Composition history: "Commissioned for the Clarksville High School Chamber Choir of Clarksville, Arkansas in celebration of the 10th Anniversary of the Madrigal Feast, Rebeca Pitts, conductor." "When I was approached by long-time friend Rebeca about a commission for her high school chamber choir that would involve this Rossetti text, the prospect made me very nervous. How could I look at this text and hear anything other than the famous Holst setting we all know and love? Though I'm still uncertain a fresh setting is needed, I certainly enjoyed the opportunity to work with such a great text. I hoped to maintain a carol-like quality while giving myself permission to enhance the drama in the story more than a traditional carol might allow. One example of this can be seen in m. 35 through the key change as things are a bit unsettled before landing on a root-position, major block chord at 'Christ.' Another moment of building dramatic intensity occurs at m. 59, leading into 'heart' in m. 64."
Tempo markings: "Rubato"; quarter note = 72-80
Performance instructions: "While the overall color of the piece is one of simplistic beauty, choirs should not be afraid to intensify sound and experiment with shifts in vocal color in these more dramatic moments."
Recordings: "In the Bleak Midwinter." Lyrics by Christina Rossetti, performance by Des Moines Vocal Arts Ensemble, 2018. Soundcloud, https://soundcloud.com/ramseya3/in-the-bleak-midwinter. Accessed 21 April 2020.
Ramsey, Andrea; music (American, born 1977)
This score is copyright protected. A score can be consulted here: "In the Bleak Midwinter." J.W. Pepper, https://www.jwpepper.com/In-the-Bleak-Midwinter/10509933.item#/submit. Accessed 21 April 2020.
"Copyright © 2015 by Carl Fischer, LLC. International Copyright Secured. All rights reserved, including performance rights."
11 pages; performance time 4 minutes and 23 seconds
Record: CRM-christmascarolinthebleak-ramsey
First line of lyrics: Come to me, oh come to me
Performance history: In 2017, performance by University of Idaho Vandaleers, conducted by Jesse Hampsch. YouTube, uploaded by Jesse Hampsch, 26 June 2017, https://youtu.be/IrMF8Y3PY-8.
Hampsch, Jesse; music (American, born 1992)
Other data reference(s): "Echo." Jesse Hampsch, https://jhampsch.wixsite.com/jessehampschmusic/product-page/echo. Accessed 21 Apr. 2020.
"Come to Me in the Silence of the Night" [Greg Gilpin]
other version 1 - instrumentation: piano
other version 1 - initial sharps/flats: one flat
Composition history: "Commissioned by the choir boosters of the vocal music students and faculty of Jefferson City High School for their 2009 Spring Concert, Chris Kindle and Beth Dampf, Directors"
Performance instructions: "Mysteriously"
Recordings: "Come to Me in the Silence of the Night." Sheet Music Plus, https://www.sheetmusicplus.com/title/come-to-me-in-the-silence-of-the-night-sheet-music/19469768 (SATB), https://www.sheetmusicplus.com/title/come-to-me-in-the-silence-of-the-night-sheet-music/19964501 (SSA). Accessed 15 May 2020.
Gilpin, Greg; music (American, born 1964)
Other data reference(s): "Come To Me in the Silence of the Night." Sheet Music Plus, https://www.sheetmusicplus.com/title/come-to-me-in-the-silence-of-the-night-sheet-music/19469768 (SATB), https://www.sheetmusicplus.com/title/come-to-me-in-the-silence-of-the-night-sheet-music/19964501 (SSA). Accessed 15 May 2020.
This score is copyright protected. A score can be consulted here: "Come To Me in the Silence of the Night." Sheet Music Plus, https://www.sheetmusicplus.com/title/come-to-me-in-the-silence-of-the-night-sheet-music/19469768 (SATB) and https://www.sheetmusicplus.com/title/come-to-me-in-the-silence-of-the-night-sheet-music/19964501 (SSA). Accessed 15 May 2020.
2010 [publication] [copyright]; 2014 [copyright SSA arrangement]
SATB version: "© 2010 Heritage Music Press, a division of The Lorenz Corporation. All rights reserved"; SSA version: "© 2010, This arrangement © 2014 Heritage Music Press, a division of The Lorenz Corporation. All rights reserved"
6 pages; performance time approx. 2 minutes and 45 seconds
Place in the larger work: The fifth song of five in a song cycle called "Greyed Sonnets" which includes 1. "Soliloquy" (Edna St. Vincent Millay); 2. "Let it be forgotten" (Sara Teasdale); 3. "A Season's Song" (Edna St. Vincent Millay); 4. "Love's Autumn" (Edna St. Vincent Millay); 5. "Entreaty" (Christina Rossetti).
Notes about the text: In the lyrics, the phrase "to me" is added after "Come" at the beginning of the second line of the poem, and at the end of line 15 of the poem, the word "you" was added.
Tempo markings: "Slow"; quarter note = 60-72
Performance history: "First Performance: CAMI Hall, NYC [New York City], November 1975" ("Vocal Music")
Recordings: "Greyed Sonnets." The Vocal-Chamber Art -- Music by Judith Lang Zaimont, performance by Elena Tyminski, soprano, Judith Lang Zaimont, piano, Leonarda, 1999. "Entreaty." Vitality Began, performance by Patricia Stiles, mezzo-soprano, Graham Cox, piano, Cavalli Records, 2001.
Zaimont, Judith Lang; music (American, born 1945)
Reference: Ezust, Emily. The LiederNet Archive. http://www.lieder.net/lieder/index.html
Other data reference(s): "Vocal Music." Judith Lang Zaimont Composer, http://jzaimont.com/works/vocal/vocal.html. Accessed 17 Apr. 2020.
4 pages (pp. 13-16); performance time 3 minutes and 43 seconds; complete song cycle performance time 14 minutes
Place in the larger work: The second song of two in a song cycle called "Songs of Remembrance," settings of Christina Rossetti poems. The songs include "And if thou wilt, remember" and "Come to me"
Composition history: "The SSATB version was commissioned by the Winnipeg Philharmonic Choir, Yuri Klaz, director"
Performance instructions: "Gently flowing." The score lists the clarinet as optional.
Chatman, Stephen; music (Canadian, born 1950)
Other data reference(s): "Songs of Remembrance: No. 1 Come to me." MorningStar Music, ECS Publishing Group, https://www.morningstarmusic.com/songs-of-remembrance-no-1-come-to-me.html. Accessed 13 March 2020.
Cataloguer: Diana Bishara and Emily McConkey, University of Ottawa
This score is copyright protected. A score can be consulted here: "Songs of Remembrance: 1. Come to me." Morning Star Music, ECS Publishing Group, https://www.morningstarmusic.com/songs-of-remembrance-no-1-come-to-me.html
"© Copyright 2014 by Highgate Press, Inc., a division of ECS Publishing. www.ecspublishing.com All Rights Reserved."
"And if thou wilt, remember" [Stephen Chatman]
First line of lyrics: When I am dead, my dearest
other version 1 - chorus: women's SSA chorus
other version 1 - instrumentation: piano|clarinet
other version 1 - initial sharps/flats: no sharps or flats
Rossetti poem(s): "Song" ("When I am dead, my dearest")
Place in the larger work: The second song of two in the song cycle called "Songs of Remembrance," settings of Christina Rossetti poems. The songs include 1. "Come to me"; 2. "And if thou wilt, remember."
Performance instructions: "Sadly, ironically." "Strongly emphasize the melody/thirds. The balance between choir and instruments should be equal." The score lists the clarinet as optional.
Notes: "This Christina Rossetti text is touching and poignant, "When I am dead, my dearest, Sing no sad songs for me." The soprano is divisi throughout, the baritones divide in one measure and that's the extent of the divisi. A sad, ironic ("and if thou wilt, forget") and totally memorable piece." ("Song of Remembrance...")
Other data reference(s): "Songs of Remembrance: 2. And if thou wilt, remember." Morning Star Music, ECS Publishing Group, https://www.morningstarmusic.com/songs-of-remembrance-no-2-and-if-thou-wilt-remember-chatman.html (SSATB); https://www.morningstarmusic.com/songs-of-remembrance-no-2-and-if-thou-wilt-remember.html (SSAA). Accessed 13 March 2020.
Cataloguer: Claudia Laugalys, University of Ottawa
This score is copyright protected. A score can be consulted here: "Songs of Remembrance: 2. And if thou wilt, remember." Morning Star Music, ECS Publishing Group, SSATB version: https://www.morningstarmusic.com/songs-of-remembrance-no-2-and-if-thou-wilt-remember-chatman.html; SSAA: https://www.morningstarmusic.com/songs-of-remembrance-no-2-and-if-thou-wilt-remember.html
Composition history: "By kind permission of Messrs MacMillan."
Notes: Published as part of the song collection called "Six Songs" which includes 1. "O Swallow Swallow" (Tennyson); 2. "When I have fears" (Keats); 3. "The Lady of the Lambs" (Alice Meynell); 4. "Echo" (Christina Rossetti); 5. "A Birthday" (Christina Rossetti); 6. "I arise from dreams of thee" (Percy Shelley).
Lancaster, Walter J. [James]; music (English, active 1860-1952)
Cataloguer: Sarah Pennington, University of Ottawa
musical score: Lancaster, Walter J. "A Birthday." Six Songs, London, Joseph Williams, pp. 4-5. Royal Academy of Music Library, London
Notes about the text: In the second line of the second stanza the word "vair" is replaced with "rare."
Tempo markings: "Allegro, non troppo, ma con brio"
Dedication: "To the Mac Dowell Club Chorus, Boston"
Manney, Charles Fonteyn; music (American, 1872-1951)
Other data reference(s): Record for "Philomelian three-part chorus collection : for women's voices." University of Toronto Libraries, https://search.library.utoronto.ca/details?6907809&uuid=8a86eece-8d63-4357-88bf-8a429316bbec. Accessed 4 Mar. 2019.
musical score: University of Toronto Robarts Library, Toronto
Tempo markings: "Allegro appassionato"; half note = about 72
Thiman, Eric H. [Harding]; music (English, 1900-1975)
Other data reference(s): Record for "A birthday : two-part song." Royal Academy of Music Library, http://lib.ram.ac.uk/uhtbin/cgisirsi.exe/x/0/0/57/5/0?searchdata1=128229{CKEY}&searchfield1=GENERAL^SUBJECT^GENERAL^^&user_id=WEBSERVER. Accessed 24 Mar. 2019.
musical score: Royal Academy of Music Library, London
Part of: "Three Love Poems of Christina Rossetti"
Place in the larger work: The first song of three in the song cycle called "Three Love Poems of Christina Rossetti" which includes 1. "Song ('When I am dead')"; 2. "Grown and flown"; 3. "A Birthday."
Performance history: Performed at the National Portrait Gallery on February 4th, 1995 by Arion, soprano Andrée Back and harpist Brian Davis, as part of a recital of settings of poems by Christina Rossetti called "Sing no sad songs for me" ("Sing no sad songs for me").
Other data reference(s): "Sing no sad songs for me." National Portrait Gallery, 1995. [courtesy of Lorraine Janzen Kooistra]
Place in the larger work: The second song of three in the song cycle called "Three Love Poems of Christina Rossetti" which includes 1. "Song ('When I am dead')"; 2. "Grown and flown"; 3. "A Birthday."
Place in the larger work: The third song of three in the song cycle called "Three Love Poems of Christina Rossetti" which includes 1. "Song ('When I am dead')"; 2. "Grown and flown"; 3. "A Birthday."
Other data reference(s): Record for "A birthday : for soprano, baritone, and piano." Library of Congress, https://lccn.loc.gov/2001547586. Accessed 31 Mar. 2019.
First line of lyrics: I wish I could remember the first day
genre: choral music|song|art song (lied)|song cycle|choral suite
Place in the larger work: The second song of five in the song cycle "My delight" which includes 1. "My delight and thy delight" (Robert Bridges); 2. "The first day" (Christina Rossetti); 3. "When I was fair and young" (Elizabeth I); 4. "Love came so lightly" (John Shaw Neilson); 5. "My love is come to me" (Christina Rossetti).
Tempo markings: "Not too fast, conversationally"
Paviour, Paul; music (English, born 1931)
Other data reference(s): Record for "My delight : a choral suite for SSA a capella treble choir." Library of Congress, https://lccn.loc.gov/2017564400. Accessed 31 Mar. 2019.
musical score: Library of Congress, Washington, DC
New South Wales: Australian Music Centre; Houston: Alliance Pubications, Inc.
"Copyright © 2016 ALLIANCE PUBLICATIONS, INC. USA. All rights reserved. ASCAP"
Place in the larger work: The fifth song of five in the song cycle "My delight" which includes 1. "My delight and thy delight" (Robert Bridges); 2. "The first day" (Christina Rossetti); 3. "When I was fair and young" (Elizabeth I); 4. "Love came so lightly" (John Shaw Neilson); 5. "My love is come to me" (Christina Rossetti).
Tempo markings: "Allegro ecstatico"; quarter note = 98
1999 [publication]; 2016 [publication] [copyright]
First line of lyrics: Gone were but the Winter
Place in the larger work: The second song of six in a song cycle called "Remembrance," settings of Christina Rossetti poems. The songs include 1. "A Sonnet"; 2. "Spring Quiet"; 3. "Up-Hill"; 4. "Song"; 5. "A Summer Wish"; 6. "Envoi".
Composition history: "Commissioned by The Lane Family, In Memory of Erma C. Lane" "for the Nova Singers of Galesburg, Illinois" (Hawley)
Tempo markings: "Allegretto"; dotted quarter note = 52 ca.
Performance history: Premiered by Nova Singers, Laura Lane, Music Director, on February 21, 1998, at Knox College [Galesburg, Illinois]" (Hawley)
Hawley, William; music (American, born 1950)
Other data reference(s): Hawley, William. "Re: Christina Rossetti in Music inquiry." Received by Mary Arseneau. 21 Apr. 2020.
"© 1997 William Hawley" This score is protected by copyright. All rights reserved. The score appears on this website by kind permission of composer William Hawley. To purchase musical scores or to request performance rights, please consult the composer’s website, www.williamhawley.net.
6 pages (pp. 5-10); complete song cycle performance time ca. 12 minutes
First line of lyrics: Remember me when I am gone away
Place in the larger work: The first song of six in a song cycle called "Remembrance," settings of Christina Rossetti poems. The songs include 1. "A Sonnet"; 2. "Spring Quiet"; 3. "Up-Hill"; 4. "Song"; 5. "A Summer Wish"; 6. "Envoi".
Tempo markings: "Larghetto"; quarter note = 69 ca.
4 pages (pp. 1-4); complete song cycle performance time ca. 12 minutes
First line of lyrics: Does the road wind up-hill all the way?
Place in the larger work: The third song of six in a song cycle called "Remembrance," settings of Christina Rossetti poems. The songs include 1. "A Sonnet"; 2. "Spring Quiet"; 3. "Up-Hill"; 4. "Song"; 5. "A Summer Wish"; 6. "Envoi".
Tempo markings: "Adagio"; quarter note = 66 ca.
4 pages (pp. 11-14); complete song cycle performance time ca. 12 minutes
Place in the larger work: The fourth song of six in a song cycle called "Remembrance," settings of Christina Rossetti poems. The songs include 1. "A Sonnet"; 2. "Spring Quiet"; 3. "Up-Hill"; 4. "Song"; 5. "A Summer Wish"; 6. "Envoi".
Tempo markings: "Andante mosso"; quarter note = 96 ca.
4 pages (pp. 15-18); complete song cycle performance time ca. 12 minutes.