The Music of Robert Frost Friday, March 25, 2011
Robert Frost, born March 26, 1874, was an American poet. He is highly regarded for his realistic depictions of rural life and his command of American colloquial speech. His work frequently employed settings from rural life in New England in the early twentieth century, using them to examine complex social and philosophical themes. A popular and often-quoted poet, Frost was honored frequently during his lifetime, receiving four Pulitzer Prizes for poetry.
Frost's texts have been a favorite of many choral composers. Some of the most well-known settings of his texts are found in Randall Thompson's Frostiana: Seven Country Songs. Thompson was commissioned by the town of Amherst, Massachusetts to write a piece commemorating its bicentennial in 1959. The town was known for its association with Robert Frost, who had lived there for some years. Frost had known Thompson for some time, and admired his music; accordingly, it was decided that the commemorative work would be a setting of some of Frost's poetry. The town suggested “The Gift Outrightâ€; Thompson, however, feared that the text was inappropriate for the occasion, and asked to be allowed to choose his own texts. In the end, the composer selected seven poems, with which he constructed a seven-movement suite of choral art songs: The Road Not Taken, The Pasture, Come In, The Telephone, A Girl's Garden, Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening and the ethereal Choose Something Like a Star.
For more distinguished choral repertoire, contact Stanton's at 1.800.426.8742.