Called Back
Written for the Quince Contemporary Vocal Ensemble
“Little Cousins,
Called Back.
Emily”
The words “called back” appear a number of times in reference to American poet Emily Dickinson. Called Back by Frederick John Fargus was apparently one of her favorite novels. These words were also the only text of her last known letter, written to her favorite cousins, Frances and Louisa Norcross. These words also appear on her tombstone in Amherst, MA.
Dickinson was fascinated by death, but not in a depressed or morbid sense. Her poems often grapple with death in beautiful, unique, and sometimes quirky ways. Indeed, her use of the words “called back” indicate that she did not see death as a dark and fearful thing, but simply being called to return to a home in the afterlife. The three poems of Called Back all explore death through different approaches, which the music attempts to capture.
Called Back was written for the Quince Contemporary Vocal Ensemble, through the 2016 Walden School Faculty Commission.
Called Back.
Emily”
The words “called back” appear a number of times in reference to American poet Emily Dickinson. Called Back by Frederick John Fargus was apparently one of her favorite novels. These words were also the only text of her last known letter, written to her favorite cousins, Frances and Louisa Norcross. These words also appear on her tombstone in Amherst, MA.
Dickinson was fascinated by death, but not in a depressed or morbid sense. Her poems often grapple with death in beautiful, unique, and sometimes quirky ways. Indeed, her use of the words “called back” indicate that she did not see death as a dark and fearful thing, but simply being called to return to a home in the afterlife. The three poems of Called Back all explore death through different approaches, which the music attempts to capture.
Called Back was written for the Quince Contemporary Vocal Ensemble, through the 2016 Walden School Faculty Commission.