2009


I am in need of music…

Composed by Alva Henderson
"I am in need of music...," composed by Alva Henderson, sets the text of Elizabeth Bishop originally titled "Sonnet." Bishop's poem "Sonnet" was written in 1928.

Text

Sonnet
by Elizabeth Bishop

I am in need of music that would flow
Over my fretful, feeling finger-tips,
Over my bitter-tainted, trembling lips,
With melody, deep, clear, and liquid-slow.
Oh, for the healing swaying, old and low,
Of some song sung to rest the tired dead,
A song to fall like water on my head,
And over quivering limbs, dream flushed to glow!

There is a magic made by melody:
A spell of rest, and quiet breath, and cool
Heart, that sinks through fading colors deep
To the subaqueous stillness of the sea,
And floats forever in a moon-green pool,
Held in the arms of rhythm and of sleep.

–Elizabeth Bishop: The Complete Poems 1927-1979, p. 214

Books

The Complete Poems 1927-1979

Elizabeth Bishop

Audio

I am in need of music…
Layna Chianakas (mezzo-soprano) & Daniel Lockert (piano)4:32

Alva Henderson

Composer

Elizabeth Bishop

Poet(s)/Writer(s)