THREE FROM EMILY

By Persis Parshall Vehar

“...particularly useful for a tenor or soprano who wishes to delve briefly into the contemporary repertoire.... The three songs: How Happy Is the Little Stone; The Martyrs Even Trod; and Ashore At Last, offer great contrast in mood. The first song captures the theme of ‘simplicity’ which pervades the poem. Vehar achieves a casualness of mood throughout with the use of 6/8 meter and staccato movement in the piano over which is heard a delicate pizzicato cello line... The overall effect is one of wistful playfulness. The Martyrs Even Trod brings more drama to the cycle through sharply accented open fifths in the cello line and accented chord clusters in the piano. Ashore at Last is a strikingly beautiful, lyrical song which allows the voice to soar over a harplike piano part. The cello adds support with a counter melody of equal beauty... Vehar’s music is most accessible to both singer and audience without being trite...”
Sharon Mabry, The NATS Journal [New Directions]

“These [3] settings of Emily Dickinson for high voice, cello and piano make a refreshing set. ‘Ashore at last’ is the finest song of the set— indeed, one of the most captivating songs to be published recently. Over a harp-like piano part, voice and cello have soaring lines that share some melodic material. The effect is thoroughly contemporary, yet almost ethereal... They are well-crafted chamber literature... highly recommended.”
Paul Richardson, American Music Teacher

16 Pages Medium High Range ca. 8.30 Minutes