Shelter This Candle - Seafarer Press...Elizabeth Alexander Seafarer Press arerpress.com SEA-080-00...
Transcript of Shelter This Candle - Seafarer Press...Elizabeth Alexander Seafarer Press arerpress.com SEA-080-00...
Elizabeth Alexander
Seafarer Presswww.seafarerpress.com
SEA-080-00 $12.00
Shelter This CandleEdna St. Vincent Millay
SATB, oboe, horn, cello, harp
~ CONDUCTOR’S SCORE ~
To the Wife of a Sick Friend
Shelter this candle from the wind.Hold it steady. In its lightThe cave wherein we wander lostGlitters with frosty stalactite,Blossoms with mineral rose and lotus,Sparkles with crystal moon and star,Till a man would rather be lost than found:We have forgotten where we are.
Shelter this candle. Shrewdly blowingDown the cave from a secret doorEnters our only foe, the wind.Hold it steady. Lest we stand,Each in a sudden, separate dark,The hot wax spattered upon your hand,The smoking wick in my nostrils strong,The inner eyelid red and greenFor a moment yet with moons and roses,—Then the unmitigated dark.
Alone, alone in a terrible place,In utter dark without a face,With only the dripping of the water on the stone,And the sound of your tears, and the taste of my own.
Edna St. Vincent Millay
Copyright 1928, 1955 by Edna St. Vincent Millay and Norma Millay Ellis. Reprinted by permission ofElizabeth Barnett, Literary Executor, The Millay Society.
Edna St. Vincent Millay(q. = 66)
SCORE IN C
Commissioned by VOICES Chorale, Music Director Lyn Ransom
for SATB choir, oboe, horn, cello and harpElizabeth Alexander
Shelter This Candle
© 2008, 2010 by Elizabeth Alexander
S
A
T
B
Oboe
Horn
Violoncello
Harp
5
Choir (Tutti)
Vc
Hp
pizz. lightly
p
pp
MMMOMMMM
sh
hold teeth and lips gently apart, exhale deeplypp
arco
pp mp pp
mp
9
Choir (Tutti)
Hp
14
T
B
Vc
Hp
18
T
B
Hn
Vc
Hp
mp pp
pp
sh
pp
sh
pp
pizz.
p
arco
p
mp pp
mp pp
p
2
22
S
A
Hn
Vc
Hp
26
S
A
T
B
Hn
Vc
Hp
oo
pp
o- oo- o- oo- - o- oo- o- - - - - - oo o- oo- o- -
oo
pp
o- oo- o- oo- - o- oo- o- - - - - - oo o- oo- o- -
mp
oo- o- oo- o- - - oo o- oo- o
mp
- oo- o- oo- o- oo- o- oo- o- oo- o- oo- -
oo- o- oo- o- - - oo o- oo- o
mp
- oo- o- oo- o- oo- o- oo- o- oo- o- oo- -
sh
sh
pp
pp
3
30
S
A
T
B
Ob
Hp
35
Ob
Hn
Hp
38
Hn
Hp
o
pp
o
pp
mp pp
mp pp
p
pp
p
mp
mf f mf
4
41
Ob
Hn
Vc
Hp
44
Ob
Hn
Vc
Hp
47
T
B
Vc
Hp
mp
mp
mp
f
mf pp
mf pp
mf
pizz.
m.d.
mf mp
Shel
pp
ter- this
Shel
pp
ter- this
mp
pp
5
Opal Palmer Adisa, poet B Margaret & George Alexander, parents B Yehuda Amichai, poet B Bjorn Arneson, generous
web designer B Scott Bates, poet B Abbie Betinis, composer/colleague B Dennis Blubaugh, music dealer B Michael
deVernon Boblett, poet B Ray Bradbury, writer B Norbert Capek, visionary B e. e. cummings, poet B Philip Dacey,
poet B Emily Dickinson, poet B Evelyn Dudley, poet B Rob Eller-Isaacs, minister/writer B Sophia Lyon Fahs, writer
B Richard M. Fewkes, writer B Pesha Gertler, poet B Richard S. Gilbert, minister/writer B Jack Gallagher,
composer/teacher B Paul Gerike, proofreader B Steve Harper, technical advisor B Steve Hawkins, generous web
designer B Edie Hill, composer/colleague B Langston Hughes, poet B Mark Humphrey, piano technician B Karel Husa,
composer/teacher B Kalidasa, poet B Garrison Keillor, storyteller B Denise Levertov, poet B George Ella Lyon, poet
B Jonathan Machen, artist B Edna St. Vincent Millay, poet B J. David Moore, composer/colleague B Joan Wolf
Prefontaine, poet B Gerald Rich, poet B Carl Sandburg, poet B King Sigismund III, religious reformer B Steven
Stucky, composer/teacher B Rabindranath Tagore, poet B Howard Thurman, civil rights leader/writer B John
Greenleaf Whittier, poet B Theodore Chickering Williams, poet B Daniel Winter, pianist/teacher B Nancy Wood,
poet B Yehudi Wyner, composer/teacher B Paul Adams, technical advisor B Opal Palmer Adisa, poet B Margaret &
George Alexander, parents B Yehuda Amichai, poet B Bjorn Arneson, generous web designer B Scott Bates, poet B
Abbie Betinis, composer/colleague B Dennis Blubaugh, music dealer B Michael deVernon Boblett, poet B Ray
Bradbury, writer B Norbert Capek, visionary B e. e. cummings, poet B Philip Dacey, poet B Emily Dickinson, poet
B Evelyn Dudley, poet B Rob Eller-Isaacs, minister/writer B Sophia Lyon Fahs, writer B Richard M. Fewkes, writer
B Pesha Gertler, poet B Richard S. Gilbert, minister/writer B Jack Gallagher, composer/teacher B Paul Gerike,
proofreader B Steve Harper, technical advisor B Steve Hawkins, generous web designer B Edie Hill,
composer/colleague B Langston Hughes, poet B Mark Humphrey, piano technician B Karel Husa, composer/teacher
B Kalidasa, poet B Garrison Keillor, storyteller B Denise Levertov, poet B George Ella Lyon, poet B Jonathan Machen,
artist B Edna St. Vincent Millay, poet B J. David Moore, composer/colleague B Joan Wolf Prefontaine, poet B Gerald
Rich, poet B Carl Sandburg, poet B King Sigismund III, religious reformer B Steven Stucky, composer/teacher B
Rabindranath Tagore, poet B Howard Thurman, civil rights leader/writer B John Greenleaf Whittier, poet B
Theodore Chickering Williams, poet B Daniel Winter, pianist/teacher B Nancy Wood, poet B Yehudi Wyner,
composer/teacher B Paul Adams, technical advisor B Opal Palmer Adisa, poet B Margaret & George Alexander, parents
B Yehuda Amichai, poet B Bjorn Arneson, generous web designer B Scott Bates, poet B Abbie Betinis,
composer/colleague B Dennis Blubaugh, music dealer B Michael deVernon Boblett, poet B Ray Bradbury, writer B
Norbert Capek, visionary B e. e. cummings, poet B Philip Dacey, poet B Emily Dickinson, poet B Evelyn Dudley, poet
B Rob Eller-Isaacs, minister/writer B Sophia Lyon Fahs, writer B Richard M. Fewkes, writer B Pesha Gertler, poet
B Richard S. Gilbert, minister/writer B Jack Gallagher, composer/teacher B Paul Gerike, proofreader B Steve Harper,
technical advisor B Steve Hawkins, generous web designer B Edie Hill, composer/colleague B Langston Hughes, poet
B Mark Humphrey, piano technician B Karel Husa, composer/teacher B Kalidasa, poet B Garrison Keillor, storyteller
B Denise Levertov, poet B George Ella Lyon, poet B Jonathan Machen, artist B Edna St. Vincent Millay, poet B J.
David Moore, composer/colleague B Joan Wolf Prefontaine, poet B Gerald Rich, poet B Carl Sandburg, poet B King
THIS PAGE HAS BEEN INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK.
(YOU KNOW WHY.)
A COMPLETE PERUSAL COPY MAY BE PURCHASED
FROM ELIZABETH ALEXANDER AT
Seafarer PressSeafarer PressSeafarer PressSeafarer Presswww.seafarerpress.com
A LOT OF HARD WORK &CREATIVITY
WENT INTO BRINGING
THIS MUSIC TO YOU...
...AND SOME OF IT
WAS EVEN MINE.
59
T
B
Ob
Hn
Vc
Hp
63
S
A
T
B
Ob
Vc
Hp
can
p
dle,- - - - -
pp
can
p
dle,- - - - -
pp
p
p pp
arco
mp
Shel
pp
ter- this
Shel
pp
ter- this
Shel
pp
ter- this
Shel
pp
ter- this
B§
4
7
67
S
A
T
B
Vc
Hp
70
S
A
T
B
Ob
Hn
Vc
Hp
can dle- - from the
can dle- - from the
can dle- - from the
can dle- - from the
wind,
mf p
wind,
mf p
wind,
mf p
o
pp
a- o- a- o- a-
wind,
mf p
o
nondiv. pp
a- o- a- o- a-
p mf p
mp mf p
mf p
f
p bisbigliando Bb
8
75
S
A
T
B
Vc
Hp
79
S
A
T
B
Ob
Vc
Hp
Shel
p
ter- this can
nondiv.
dle- from the
Shel
p
ter- this can dle- from the
o
p
a- o- a- o- a- o
pp
o
p
a- o- a- o- a- o
pp
B§ Gb Bb
wind.
mp
Hold it stead y,-
wind.
mp
Hold it stead y,-
o
pp
a- o- a
mp
- o- a- o-
pp
a o- a- -
o
pp
a- o- a
mp
- o- a- o-
pp
a o- a- -
mp
mp
mp
( MNLOMMLM )
C#
9
82
S
A
T
B
Ob
Hn
Vc
Hp
86
T
B
Ob
Hn
Vc
Hp
Hold it stead y,-
pp
Hold it stead y,-
pp
o
p pp
o
p pp
pp
p
pp mp
p
4
p
Hold
pp
it stead
p
y,- - - Hold
pp
Hold
pp
it stead
p
y,- - - Hold
pp
pp
pp
pp
l.v.
10
90
T
B
Ob
Hn
Vc
Hp
94
S
Ob
Vc
Hp
B97
S
A
Vc
Hp
it stead
p
y.- - - - -
pp
it stead
p
y.- - - - -
pp
p
Eb
In
mp
its
C§
Db Ab
light the cave where in- we wan der,-
In
mp
its light the cave where in- we wan - der,
mp
mp( LMLOLMLL )
11
Opal Palmer Adisa, poet B Margaret & George Alexander, parents B Yehuda Amichai, poet B Bjorn Arneson, generous
web designer B Scott Bates, poet B Abbie Betinis, composer/colleague B Dennis Blubaugh, music dealer B Michael
deVernon Boblett, poet B Ray Bradbury, writer B Norbert Capek, visionary B e. e. cummings, poet B Philip Dacey,
poet B Emily Dickinson, poet B Evelyn Dudley, poet B Rob Eller-Isaacs, minister/writer B Sophia Lyon Fahs, writer
B Richard M. Fewkes, writer B Pesha Gertler, poet B Richard S. Gilbert, minister/writer B Jack Gallagher,
composer/teacher B Paul Gerike, proofreader B Steve Harper, technical advisor B Steve Hawkins, generous web
designer B Edie Hill, composer/colleague B Langston Hughes, poet B Mark Humphrey, piano technician B Karel Husa,
composer/teacher B Kalidasa, poet B Garrison Keillor, storyteller B Denise Levertov, poet B George Ella Lyon, poet
B Jonathan Machen, artist B Edna St. Vincent Millay, poet B J. David Moore, composer/colleague B Joan Wolf
Prefontaine, poet B Gerald Rich, poet B Carl Sandburg, poet B King Sigismund III, religious reformer B Steven
Stucky, composer/teacher B Rabindranath Tagore, poet B Howard Thurman, civil rights leader/writer B John
Greenleaf Whittier, poet B Theodore Chickering Williams, poet B Daniel Winter, pianist/teacher B Nancy Wood,
poet B Yehudi Wyner, composer/teacher B Paul Adams, technical advisor B Opal Palmer Adisa, poet B Margaret &
George Alexander, parents B Yehuda Amichai, poet B Bjorn Arneson, generous web designer B Scott Bates, poet B
Abbie Betinis, composer/colleague B Dennis Blubaugh, music dealer B Michael deVernon Boblett, poet B Ray
Bradbury, writer B Norbert Capek, visionary B e. e. cummings, poet B Philip Dacey, poet B Emily Dickinson, poet
B Evelyn Dudley, poet B Rob Eller-Isaacs, minister/writer B Sophia Lyon Fahs, writer B Richard M. Fewkes, writer
B Pesha Gertler, poet B Richard S. Gilbert, minister/writer B Jack Gallagher, composer/teacher B Paul Gerike,
proofreader B Steve Harper, technical advisor B Steve Hawkins, generous web designer B Edie Hill,
composer/colleague B Langston Hughes, poet B Mark Humphrey, piano technician B Karel Husa, composer/teacher
B Kalidasa, poet B Garrison Keillor, storyteller B Denise Levertov, poet B George Ella Lyon, poet B Jonathan Machen,
artist B Edna St. Vincent Millay, poet B J. David Moore, composer/colleague B Joan Wolf Prefontaine, poet B Gerald
Rich, poet B Carl Sandburg, poet B King Sigismund III, religious reformer B Steven Stucky, composer/teacher B
Rabindranath Tagore, poet B Howard Thurman, civil rights leader/writer B John Greenleaf Whittier, poet B
Theodore Chickering Williams, poet B Daniel Winter, pianist/teacher B Nancy Wood, poet B Yehudi Wyner,
composer/teacher B Paul Adams, technical advisor B Opal Palmer Adisa, poet B Margaret & George Alexander, parents
B Yehuda Amichai, poet B Bjorn Arneson, generous web designer B Scott Bates, poet B Abbie Betinis,
composer/colleague B Dennis Blubaugh, music dealer B Michael deVernon Boblett, poet B Ray Bradbury, writer B
Norbert Capek, visionary B e. e. cummings, poet B Philip Dacey, poet B Emily Dickinson, poet B Evelyn Dudley, poet
B Rob Eller-Isaacs, minister/writer B Sophia Lyon Fahs, writer B Richard M. Fewkes, writer B Pesha Gertler, poet
B Richard S. Gilbert, minister/writer B Jack Gallagher, composer/teacher B Paul Gerike, proofreader B Steve Harper,
technical advisor B Steve Hawkins, generous web designer B Edie Hill, composer/colleague B Langston Hughes, poet
B Mark Humphrey, piano technician B Karel Husa, composer/teacher B Kalidasa, poet B Garrison Keillor, storyteller
B Denise Levertov, poet B George Ella Lyon, poet B Jonathan Machen, artist B Edna St. Vincent Millay, poet B J.
David Moore, composer/colleague B Joan Wolf Prefontaine, poet B Gerald Rich, poet B Carl Sandburg, poet B King
THIS PAGE HAS BEEN INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK.
(YOU KNOW WHY.)
A COMPLETE PERUSAL COPY MAY BE PURCHASED
FROM ELIZABETH ALEXANDER AT
Seafarer PressSeafarer PressSeafarer PressSeafarer Presswww.seafarerpress.com
A LOT OF HARD WORK &CREATIVITY
WENT INTO BRINGING
THIS MUSIC TO YOU...
...AND SOME OF IT
WAS EVEN MINE.
109
S
Ob
Vc
Hp
112
S
Ob
Vc
Hp
115
Ob
Hn
Vc
Hp
Solo
glit
mp
ters,- glit ters- with
C§
frost y- sta lac- tite,-
mp
mf
mf
mf
Change pedals from LMLOLMLL to NNMOMNNM
13
119
S
A
T
B
Hn
Vc
Hp
123
S
A
T
B
Ob
Hn
Vc
Hp
Blos
Tuttimp
soms- with min er- al- rose, and
Blos
mp
soms- with min er- - al- rose, and
min
mp
er- al- rose and
min
mp
er- al- rose and
( G§ C§ D§ >)
G§ C§ D§
lo
mf
tus,-
lo
mf
tus,-
lo
mf
tus,-
lo
mf
tus,-
f
gliss.
f
( MMMOMNMM )
14
127
Ob
Hn
Vc
Hp
131
S
A
T
B
Ob
Hn
Vc
Hp
p
p
p
p G# A#
Spar
mf
kles- with crys tal- moon and star, 'Til a
Spar
mf
kles- with crys tal- moon and star, 'Til a
'Til
mf
a
'Til
mf
a
mf
mf
mf
mf
mp
gliss.
gliss.
F§ G§ A§
( MMMOMMMM )
15
135
S
A
T
B
Ob
Hn
Vc
Hp
man would rath er- be lost, 'til a man would rath er- be lost,
man would rath er- be lost, 'til a man would rath er- be lost,
man would rath er- be lost, 'til a man would rath er- be lost,
man would rath er- be lost, 'til a man would rath er- be lost,
mp mf
gliss.gliss.
mp
gliss.
gliss.
mf
( MMMOMMMM )
C# F#
( MNMOMNMM )
16
139
S
A
T
B
Ob
Hn
Vc
Hp
we would rath er- be lost
we would rath er- be lost we would rath er- be lost
we would rath er- be lost
we would rath er- be lost
C§
mf
17
143
S
A
T
B
Ob
Hn
Vc
Hp
than found.
f
than found.
f
than found.
f
than found.
f
f
f
f
C# f
18
146
S
A
T
B
Ob
Hn
Vc
Hp
150
Hn
Vc
Hp
full of awe
We have for got- ten- where we are,
full of awe
We have for got- ten- where we are,
full of awe
We have for got- ten- where we are,
full of awe
We have for got- ten- where we are,
mf
niente
niente
pp
19
Opal Palmer Adisa, poet B Margaret & George Alexander, parents B Yehuda Amichai, poet B Bjorn Arneson, generous
web designer B Scott Bates, poet B Abbie Betinis, composer/colleague B Dennis Blubaugh, music dealer B Michael
deVernon Boblett, poet B Ray Bradbury, writer B Norbert Capek, visionary B e. e. cummings, poet B Philip Dacey,
poet B Emily Dickinson, poet B Evelyn Dudley, poet B Rob Eller-Isaacs, minister/writer B Sophia Lyon Fahs, writer
B Richard M. Fewkes, writer B Pesha Gertler, poet B Richard S. Gilbert, minister/writer B Jack Gallagher,
composer/teacher B Paul Gerike, proofreader B Steve Harper, technical advisor B Steve Hawkins, generous web
designer B Edie Hill, composer/colleague B Langston Hughes, poet B Mark Humphrey, piano technician B Karel Husa,
composer/teacher B Kalidasa, poet B Garrison Keillor, storyteller B Denise Levertov, poet B George Ella Lyon, poet
B Jonathan Machen, artist B Edna St. Vincent Millay, poet B J. David Moore, composer/colleague B Joan Wolf
Prefontaine, poet B Gerald Rich, poet B Carl Sandburg, poet B King Sigismund III, religious reformer B Steven
Stucky, composer/teacher B Rabindranath Tagore, poet B Howard Thurman, civil rights leader/writer B John
Greenleaf Whittier, poet B Theodore Chickering Williams, poet B Daniel Winter, pianist/teacher B Nancy Wood,
poet B Yehudi Wyner, composer/teacher B Paul Adams, technical advisor B Opal Palmer Adisa, poet B Margaret &
George Alexander, parents B Yehuda Amichai, poet B Bjorn Arneson, generous web designer B Scott Bates, poet B
Abbie Betinis, composer/colleague B Dennis Blubaugh, music dealer B Michael deVernon Boblett, poet B Ray
Bradbury, writer B Norbert Capek, visionary B e. e. cummings, poet B Philip Dacey, poet B Emily Dickinson, poet
B Evelyn Dudley, poet B Rob Eller-Isaacs, minister/writer B Sophia Lyon Fahs, writer B Richard M. Fewkes, writer
B Pesha Gertler, poet B Richard S. Gilbert, minister/writer B Jack Gallagher, composer/teacher B Paul Gerike,
proofreader B Steve Harper, technical advisor B Steve Hawkins, generous web designer B Edie Hill,
composer/colleague B Langston Hughes, poet B Mark Humphrey, piano technician B Karel Husa, composer/teacher
B Kalidasa, poet B Garrison Keillor, storyteller B Denise Levertov, poet B George Ella Lyon, poet B Jonathan Machen,
artist B Edna St. Vincent Millay, poet B J. David Moore, composer/colleague B Joan Wolf Prefontaine, poet B Gerald
Rich, poet B Carl Sandburg, poet B King Sigismund III, religious reformer B Steven Stucky, composer/teacher B
Rabindranath Tagore, poet B Howard Thurman, civil rights leader/writer B John Greenleaf Whittier, poet B
Theodore Chickering Williams, poet B Daniel Winter, pianist/teacher B Nancy Wood, poet B Yehudi Wyner,
composer/teacher B Paul Adams, technical advisor B Opal Palmer Adisa, poet B Margaret & George Alexander, parents
B Yehuda Amichai, poet B Bjorn Arneson, generous web designer B Scott Bates, poet B Abbie Betinis,
composer/colleague B Dennis Blubaugh, music dealer B Michael deVernon Boblett, poet B Ray Bradbury, writer B
Norbert Capek, visionary B e. e. cummings, poet B Philip Dacey, poet B Emily Dickinson, poet B Evelyn Dudley, poet
B Rob Eller-Isaacs, minister/writer B Sophia Lyon Fahs, writer B Richard M. Fewkes, writer B Pesha Gertler, poet
B Richard S. Gilbert, minister/writer B Jack Gallagher, composer/teacher B Paul Gerike, proofreader B Steve Harper,
technical advisor B Steve Hawkins, generous web designer B Edie Hill, composer/colleague B Langston Hughes, poet
B Mark Humphrey, piano technician B Karel Husa, composer/teacher B Kalidasa, poet B Garrison Keillor, storyteller
B Denise Levertov, poet B George Ella Lyon, poet B Jonathan Machen, artist B Edna St. Vincent Millay, poet B J.
David Moore, composer/colleague B Joan Wolf Prefontaine, poet B Gerald Rich, poet B Carl Sandburg, poet B King
THIS PAGE HAS BEEN INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK.
(YOU KNOW WHY.)
A COMPLETE PERUSAL COPY MAY BE PURCHASED
FROM ELIZABETH ALEXANDER AT
Seafarer PressSeafarer PressSeafarer PressSeafarer Presswww.seafarerpress.com
A LOT OF HARD WORK &CREATIVITY
WENT INTO BRINGING
THIS MUSIC TO YOU...
...AND SOME OF IT
WAS EVEN MINE.
161
S
A
T
B
Vc
Hp
C164
S
A
T
B
Ob
Vc
Hp
mp pp
Shel
pp
ter- this
Shel
pp
ter- this
mp pp
sh
pp mp
pizz.
p
gliss.gliss. gliss.
( MNMOMNMM )
can
p
dle,- - - - -
pp
can
p
dle,- - - - -
pp
o
pp
a- o- a- o- a- o- a- o- a
p
- o- a- o- a- o- a- o- a- o- a- o- a- - o- a- o-
pp
pp
p
arco flautando, sul tasto
pp
p
( MNMOMNMM )
21
168
S
T
Ob
Hp
172
S
T
Hn
Hp
176
S
A
T
Hn
Vc
Hp
o
pp
i- -
Shrewd
p
ly- blow ing-
o i- - - - - o- i- o- i- - - - - - - -
down the cave from a se cret- door
pp p
o i- o-
niente
en
p
ters- our on
mp
ly- - -
en ters- our on
mp
ly- - -
p pp
p
A#
( MNMOLNMN )
22
179
S
A
T
B
Vc
Hp
182
S
A
T
B
Ob
Hn
Vc
Hp
i
p
o- i- o- i- - - - o-
foe
foe, the
mf
i
p
o- i- o- i- - - - o- the
mf
o
mp
a- o- a- o- a- o- a
mf
- - - - o- a- o- - -
o
mp
a- o- a- o- a- o- a
mf
- - - - o- a- o- - -
wind, Hold
f
it stead y,- Hold it
wind, Hold
f
it stead y,- Hold it
mf
p
f
mf
A§ Bb
23
186
S
A
T
B
Ob
Hn
Vc
Hp
191 rallentando molto
S
A
T
B
Hn
Vc
Hp
a
- - -o- a- o- Hold
mp
it stead - -
a- - - o- a- o- Hold
mp
it stead - -
stead y,-
mf
Hold
mp
it stead - -
stead y,-
mf
Hold
mp
it stead - -
pp p pp
mp
( MNLOLNMM )
mp
y.-
niente
lest
mf
we
y.-
niente
y.-
niente
lest
mf
we
y.-
niente
pesante
mf pesante
pesante
24
D a tempo196
S
A
T
B
Ob
Hn
Vc
Hp
202
S
A
T
B
Ob
Hn
Vc
stand each in a sud den,- sep
mp
a- rate- dark,
pp
whispered: mp
sud
den,- se
par- ate,-
stand each in a sud den,- sep
mp
a- rate- dark,
pp
hold teeth and lips gently apart, exhale deeply pp
sh
pp
f
pp
f
f C# E§ F§ Gb
[o i- o- i- o- i- o]-
The
p
[o i- o- i- - o]-
mp pp
arco
p
25
209
S
A
T
B
Ob
Hn
Vc
Hp
213
T
Ob
Hn
Vc
Hp
hot (t) wax (x) spat tered- up on- your hand,
The
p
p
p
C# E§ F§ Gb
mf
MNLOMMLM
smok ing- - wick in my nos trils- - strong,
p 4
G# C§
LMLOMMNM
26
Opal Palmer Adisa, poet B Margaret & George Alexander, parents B Yehuda Amichai, poet B Bjorn Arneson, generous
web designer B Scott Bates, poet B Abbie Betinis, composer/colleague B Dennis Blubaugh, music dealer B Michael
deVernon Boblett, poet B Ray Bradbury, writer B Norbert Capek, visionary B e. e. cummings, poet B Philip Dacey,
poet B Emily Dickinson, poet B Evelyn Dudley, poet B Rob Eller-Isaacs, minister/writer B Sophia Lyon Fahs, writer
B Richard M. Fewkes, writer B Pesha Gertler, poet B Richard S. Gilbert, minister/writer B Jack Gallagher,
composer/teacher B Paul Gerike, proofreader B Steve Harper, technical advisor B Steve Hawkins, generous web
designer B Edie Hill, composer/colleague B Langston Hughes, poet B Mark Humphrey, piano technician B Karel Husa,
composer/teacher B Kalidasa, poet B Garrison Keillor, storyteller B Denise Levertov, poet B George Ella Lyon, poet
B Jonathan Machen, artist B Edna St. Vincent Millay, poet B J. David Moore, composer/colleague B Joan Wolf
Prefontaine, poet B Gerald Rich, poet B Carl Sandburg, poet B King Sigismund III, religious reformer B Steven
Stucky, composer/teacher B Rabindranath Tagore, poet B Howard Thurman, civil rights leader/writer B John
Greenleaf Whittier, poet B Theodore Chickering Williams, poet B Daniel Winter, pianist/teacher B Nancy Wood,
poet B Yehudi Wyner, composer/teacher B Paul Adams, technical advisor B Opal Palmer Adisa, poet B Margaret &
George Alexander, parents B Yehuda Amichai, poet B Bjorn Arneson, generous web designer B Scott Bates, poet B
Abbie Betinis, composer/colleague B Dennis Blubaugh, music dealer B Michael deVernon Boblett, poet B Ray
Bradbury, writer B Norbert Capek, visionary B e. e. cummings, poet B Philip Dacey, poet B Emily Dickinson, poet
B Evelyn Dudley, poet B Rob Eller-Isaacs, minister/writer B Sophia Lyon Fahs, writer B Richard M. Fewkes, writer
B Pesha Gertler, poet B Richard S. Gilbert, minister/writer B Jack Gallagher, composer/teacher B Paul Gerike,
proofreader B Steve Harper, technical advisor B Steve Hawkins, generous web designer B Edie Hill,
composer/colleague B Langston Hughes, poet B Mark Humphrey, piano technician B Karel Husa, composer/teacher
B Kalidasa, poet B Garrison Keillor, storyteller B Denise Levertov, poet B George Ella Lyon, poet B Jonathan Machen,
artist B Edna St. Vincent Millay, poet B J. David Moore, composer/colleague B Joan Wolf Prefontaine, poet B Gerald
Rich, poet B Carl Sandburg, poet B King Sigismund III, religious reformer B Steven Stucky, composer/teacher B
Rabindranath Tagore, poet B Howard Thurman, civil rights leader/writer B John Greenleaf Whittier, poet B
Theodore Chickering Williams, poet B Daniel Winter, pianist/teacher B Nancy Wood, poet B Yehudi Wyner,
composer/teacher B Paul Adams, technical advisor B Opal Palmer Adisa, poet B Margaret & George Alexander, parents
B Yehuda Amichai, poet B Bjorn Arneson, generous web designer B Scott Bates, poet B Abbie Betinis,
composer/colleague B Dennis Blubaugh, music dealer B Michael deVernon Boblett, poet B Ray Bradbury, writer B
Norbert Capek, visionary B e. e. cummings, poet B Philip Dacey, poet B Emily Dickinson, poet B Evelyn Dudley, poet
B Rob Eller-Isaacs, minister/writer B Sophia Lyon Fahs, writer B Richard M. Fewkes, writer B Pesha Gertler, poet
B Richard S. Gilbert, minister/writer B Jack Gallagher, composer/teacher B Paul Gerike, proofreader B Steve Harper,
technical advisor B Steve Hawkins, generous web designer B Edie Hill, composer/colleague B Langston Hughes, poet
B Mark Humphrey, piano technician B Karel Husa, composer/teacher B Kalidasa, poet B Garrison Keillor, storyteller
B Denise Levertov, poet B George Ella Lyon, poet B Jonathan Machen, artist B Edna St. Vincent Millay, poet B J.
David Moore, composer/colleague B Joan Wolf Prefontaine, poet B Gerald Rich, poet B Carl Sandburg, poet B King
THIS PAGE HAS BEEN INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK.
(YOU KNOW WHY.)
A COMPLETE PERUSAL COPY MAY BE PURCHASED
FROM ELIZABETH ALEXANDER AT
Seafarer PressSeafarer PressSeafarer PressSeafarer Presswww.seafarerpress.com
A LOT OF HARD WORK &CREATIVITY
WENT INTO BRINGING
THIS MUSIC TO YOU...
...AND SOME OF IT
WAS EVEN MINE.
224
S
A
T
B
Ob
Vc
Hp
230
T
B
Ob
Hn
Vc
Hp
mo ment- yet with moon and ros
mf
es,-
mo ment- yet with moon and ros
mf
es,-
warmly mp
with moon and ro ses,-
warmly mp
with moon and ro ses,-
mf
p
mf
G§
MMLOLNMM
D§ A§ mf
p
then
pp
the un mit- i- ga- ted- dark, the un
then
pp
the un mit- i- ga- ted- dark, the un
warmly
p
pp
play low on strings (not quite pres de la table )
E#
MMLONNMM
F§ E§ C#
28
237
S
A
T
B
Ob
Vc
Hp
244
S
A
T
B
Ob
Vc
Hp
Solo
A
mf
lone,- a lone- in a ter ri- ble-
a
p
lone,-
mit i- ga- ted- dark,
mp
a
p
lone,-
mit i- ga- ted- dark,
mp
mp
sul pont. (gradually accelerate into unmeasured tremolos)
mf
Gb
MNLOMMLM
mf
place,
p
a
p
lone,-
niente
a
p
lone,-
niente
in
pp
ut ter-
p
pp
pp
29
251
S
A
T
B
Vc
Hp
F259
S
A
T
B
Hp
Tutti
[o
pp sotto voce
a- o- a- o- a- - o- a- o- a- o- a- o]-
dark, with out- a face,
niente
lonely
p C§ B§ Eb
with
pp
on ly- the drip ping- on the
with
pp
on ly- the drip ping- on the
with
pp
on ly- the drip ping- on the
with
pp
on ly- the drip ping- on the
MMMOLMLM
30
264
S
A
T
B
Hn
Vc
Hp
268
S
A
T
B
Ob
Hn
Vc
Hp
stone and the sound of your tears, and the
stone and the sound of your tears, and the
stone and the sound of your tears, and the
stone and the sound of your tears, and the
con sordino
p p
gliss.
G§ Ab
taste
pp
of my own
taste
pp
of my own
taste
pp
of my own
taste
pp
of my own
p
gliss.
Gb A§
31
G272
Ob
Vc
Hp
276
Ob
Vc
Hp
280
Ob
Vc
Hp
4
gliss.
MMMOLMLM
gliss.
32
H284
S
A
Ob
Vc
Hp
288
S
A
Vc
Hp
Shel
pp
ter- this
Shel
pp
ter- this
Bb E§ C# G§
( MNLOMMMM )
can dle,- - - - -
Shel
p
ter- this
can dle,- - - - -
Shel
p
ter- this
gliss.
33
292
S
A
Ob
Hn
Vc
Hp
296
S
A
T
B
Ob
Hn
Vc
Hp
can dle,- - - - - - -
can dle,- - - - - - -
mp
p mp
mp
mp
Hold
mp
it
Hold
mp
it
Hold
mp
it stead y,- Hold it
C§
gliss.
34
300
S
A
T
B
Ob
Hn
Vc
Hp
stead y,- hold it
stead y,- hold
it
stead y,- hold it
Hold
mp
it stead y,- hold it
mf 7
mf
mf
mf
35
Opal Palmer Adisa, poet B Margaret & George Alexander, parents B Yehuda Amichai, poet B Bjorn Arneson, generous
web designer B Scott Bates, poet B Abbie Betinis, composer/colleague B Dennis Blubaugh, music dealer B Michael
deVernon Boblett, poet B Ray Bradbury, writer B Norbert Capek, visionary B e. e. cummings, poet B Philip Dacey,
poet B Emily Dickinson, poet B Evelyn Dudley, poet B Rob Eller-Isaacs, minister/writer B Sophia Lyon Fahs, writer
B Richard M. Fewkes, writer B Pesha Gertler, poet B Richard S. Gilbert, minister/writer B Jack Gallagher,
composer/teacher B Paul Gerike, proofreader B Steve Harper, technical advisor B Steve Hawkins, generous web
designer B Edie Hill, composer/colleague B Langston Hughes, poet B Mark Humphrey, piano technician B Karel Husa,
composer/teacher B Kalidasa, poet B Garrison Keillor, storyteller B Denise Levertov, poet B George Ella Lyon, poet
B Jonathan Machen, artist B Edna St. Vincent Millay, poet B J. David Moore, composer/colleague B Joan Wolf
Prefontaine, poet B Gerald Rich, poet B Carl Sandburg, poet B King Sigismund III, religious reformer B Steven
Stucky, composer/teacher B Rabindranath Tagore, poet B Howard Thurman, civil rights leader/writer B John
Greenleaf Whittier, poet B Theodore Chickering Williams, poet B Daniel Winter, pianist/teacher B Nancy Wood,
poet B Yehudi Wyner, composer/teacher B Paul Adams, technical advisor B Opal Palmer Adisa, poet B Margaret &
George Alexander, parents B Yehuda Amichai, poet B Bjorn Arneson, generous web designer B Scott Bates, poet B
Abbie Betinis, composer/colleague B Dennis Blubaugh, music dealer B Michael deVernon Boblett, poet B Ray
Bradbury, writer B Norbert Capek, visionary B e. e. cummings, poet B Philip Dacey, poet B Emily Dickinson, poet
B Evelyn Dudley, poet B Rob Eller-Isaacs, minister/writer B Sophia Lyon Fahs, writer B Richard M. Fewkes, writer
B Pesha Gertler, poet B Richard S. Gilbert, minister/writer B Jack Gallagher, composer/teacher B Paul Gerike,
proofreader B Steve Harper, technical advisor B Steve Hawkins, generous web designer B Edie Hill,
composer/colleague B Langston Hughes, poet B Mark Humphrey, piano technician B Karel Husa, composer/teacher
B Kalidasa, poet B Garrison Keillor, storyteller B Denise Levertov, poet B George Ella Lyon, poet B Jonathan Machen,
artist B Edna St. Vincent Millay, poet B J. David Moore, composer/colleague B Joan Wolf Prefontaine, poet B Gerald
Rich, poet B Carl Sandburg, poet B King Sigismund III, religious reformer B Steven Stucky, composer/teacher B
Rabindranath Tagore, poet B Howard Thurman, civil rights leader/writer B John Greenleaf Whittier, poet B
Theodore Chickering Williams, poet B Daniel Winter, pianist/teacher B Nancy Wood, poet B Yehudi Wyner,
composer/teacher B Paul Adams, technical advisor B Opal Palmer Adisa, poet B Margaret & George Alexander, parents
B Yehuda Amichai, poet B Bjorn Arneson, generous web designer B Scott Bates, poet B Abbie Betinis,
composer/colleague B Dennis Blubaugh, music dealer B Michael deVernon Boblett, poet B Ray Bradbury, writer B
Norbert Capek, visionary B e. e. cummings, poet B Philip Dacey, poet B Emily Dickinson, poet B Evelyn Dudley, poet
B Rob Eller-Isaacs, minister/writer B Sophia Lyon Fahs, writer B Richard M. Fewkes, writer B Pesha Gertler, poet
B Richard S. Gilbert, minister/writer B Jack Gallagher, composer/teacher B Paul Gerike, proofreader B Steve Harper,
technical advisor B Steve Hawkins, generous web designer B Edie Hill, composer/colleague B Langston Hughes, poet
B Mark Humphrey, piano technician B Karel Husa, composer/teacher B Kalidasa, poet B Garrison Keillor, storyteller
B Denise Levertov, poet B George Ella Lyon, poet B Jonathan Machen, artist B Edna St. Vincent Millay, poet B J.
David Moore, composer/colleague B Joan Wolf Prefontaine, poet B Gerald Rich, poet B Carl Sandburg, poet B King
THIS PAGE HAS BEEN INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK.
(YOU KNOW WHY.)
A COMPLETE PERUSAL COPY MAY BE PURCHASED
FROM ELIZABETH ALEXANDER AT
Seafarer PressSeafarer PressSeafarer PressSeafarer Presswww.seafarerpress.com
A LOT OF HARD WORK &CREATIVITY
WENT INTO BRINGING
THIS MUSIC TO YOU...
...AND SOME OF IT
WAS EVEN MINE.
307
S
A
Vc
Hp
311
S
A
T
B
Vc
Hp
sh
pp mf
sh
pp mf
sul tasto, flautando
pp mp
p
pp
pp
Shel
pp
ter- this can
p
dle,- - - - -
Shel
pp
ter- this can
p
dle,- - - - -
pizz.
37
315
S
A
T
B
Vc
Hp
321
S
A
T
B
Ob
Vc
Hp
oo
pp
o- oo- o- oo- o- oo- o-
p
oo- o-
pp
oo
pp
o- oo- o- oo- o- oo- o-
p
oo- o-
pp
pp
Shel
p
ter- this
pp
Shel
p
ter- this
gliss.
Bb
sh
pp
sh
pp
can
p
dle,- - - - -
pp
can
p
dle,- - - - -
pp
p
pizz.
38
325
S
A
T
B
Ob
Hn
Vc
Hp
J331
Solo
Solo
A
B
Hn
Vc
Hp
mf pp
mf
Hold
pp
it
sh
mp mf pp
Hold
pp
it
p
gliss.
stead
mp sing to the other soloist, or directly to the audience
y,-
mp sing to the other soloist, or directly to the audience
stead y,-
stead y.- -
stead y.- -
pp
pp
arco: change bow discreetly
p bisbigliando
39
335
Solo
Solo
A
B
Vc
Hp
339
Solo
Solo
A
B
Vc
Hp
stead y,-
stead y,-
stead y.-
stead y.-
stead y,-
stead y,- stead y,-
stead y.-
stead y.-
40
343
Solo
Solo
A
B
Vc
Hp
347
Solo
Solo
A
B
Vc
Hp
stead
p
y,- - -
stead
ppp
y.-
stead
ppp
y.-
stead y,- -
stead
p
y,-
stead y.-
stead y.-
41
351
Solo
Solo
S
A
T
B
Vc
Hp
356
S
A
T
B
Hp
stead y.- -
stead y,-
sh
pp
niente
sh
pp
niente
mp niente
Breathe slowly and deeply, listening carefully:
mp niente
Breathe slowly and deeply, listening carefully:
42
Composer’s Notes:
Before I composed a single note of Shelter This Candle, I already knew several things about thepiece. I knew that the poem spoke of love’s ability to transform even the darkest moments of ourlives into times of comfort, connection and wonderment. I loved the delicious images that thepoem offered: light, darkness, exhilaration, loneliness, and the sounds of wind and falling tears. The combination of harp, oboe, horn, cello and choir was nothing short of luscious.
What I did not imagine was how Edna St. Vincent Millay’s poem would enter my consciousnessso deeply.
I composed the first section of Shelter This Candle with a light heart. Crafting the brilliantunderground world of “crystal moon and star” was a delight for me, full of “child in a candyshop” moments. After about ten days of composing, satisfied with my work thus far, I laid thesong aside for several weeks in order to complete an orchestra piece.
Little did I know what was in store for me when I returned to face the second half of the poem,and the entrance of “our only foe, the wind.” On some level, I had lost track of the importanceof the poem’s title: “To the Wife Of a Sick Friend”! Oh yes, I remembered. This poem is abouthow we respond to the most difficult times of life, when we could easily become overwhelmed bygrief or despair. During times like these, leaving the cave is not an option.
Every day, as I worked on the second, darker section of the piece, those words repeatedthemselves to me — leaving the cave is not an option. The conclusion of the song needed apalpable sense of how dreadfully lonely the darkness can become if we allow the light of ourlove to be extinguished. I took many walks, and reminded myself to breathe. One day, Isuddenly understood the exact significance of the last line of the poem: if the candle is allowedto go out, the poet will be able to taste her own tears, but she will only be able to hear herfriend’s tears, echoing somewhere out in the dark space, far away.
After the final words of the poem had been set to music, there was still something more to say,but it took me a long time to figure out exactly how to conclude this song. The answer lay, onceagain, in the poem’s title: “To the Wife Of a Sick Friend.” Of course, I thought. We are, all ofus in the whole world, in this big earthly cave together. But in the poem itself, there are only twosolitary characters: Edna and her friend’s wife, holding one candle between them, singing toeach other with everything in their hearts: “Steady, steady, steady...”
- E.A.April 13, 2008