Autumn from Madrigals for the Seasons

“Madrigals for the Seasons†was composed especially for Cappella SF, Ragnar Bohlin, conductor. John Clare’s poem “Autumn†conjures up vivid images of this season: the fading of summer flowers, the colors of the leaves, the browning of the fields. Clare personifies the leaves, who talk to us and offer us a lesson about death: “The same sad fate approaches you.†The musical setting is an expressive Larghetto in the minor mode. The piece ends with a surprising harmonic twist that I hope expresses both the opening of oneself to the acceptance of death, and to the peace that it offers.