Composer

:

Rudolf Escher

Genre

:

Choral

Style

:

Choral

Average_duration

:

2:29

Rudolf Escher's "Songs of Love and Eternity: No. 5, To make a prairie it takes a clover" is a vocal work that was composed in 1958. The piece was premiered on May 17, 1959, in Amsterdam, with the composer himself conducting the performance. The work is divided into three movements, each of which is based on a poem by Emily Dickinson. The first movement, "To make a prairie," is a setting of Dickinson's poem of the same name. The second movement, "The heart asks pleasure first," is a setting of Dickinson's poem "XXXII." The final movement, "I taste a liquor never brewed," is a setting of Dickinson's poem "214." Escher's setting of Dickinson's poetry is characterized by a delicate and intricate interplay between the voice and the piano. The vocal line is often fragmented and angular, with sudden leaps and unexpected intervals. The piano part is similarly complex, with intricate rhythms and harmonies that support and complement the vocal line. Escher's use of harmony is particularly noteworthy in this work. He often employs dissonant chords and unexpected modulations, creating a sense of tension and unease that is perfectly suited to Dickinson's poetry. At the same time, however, he also incorporates moments of lush, romantic harmony, creating a sense of beauty and transcendence that is equally appropriate to the text. Overall, "Songs of Love and Eternity: No. 5, To make a prairie it takes a clover" is a stunning example of Escher's skill as a composer. His setting of Dickinson's poetry is both sensitive and innovative, and his use of harmony and rhythm is masterful. The work is a testament to the enduring power of Dickinson's poetry, and to the ability of music to capture and convey the deepest emotions and experiences of the human heart.

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