Fides, Spes

PROGRAM NOTES: Willa Cather’s poem “Fides, Spes”— Latin for “Faith, Hope”—is an ode to the cyclical nature of the seasons: the vibrancy of Summer, matureness of Fall, death of Winter, and the hope that comes with Spring. All of it is nestled in the awareness of life’s impermanence. Faith and hope are emotions that give us a sense of optimism. In many ways the two words are intertwined. Cather’s words ground faith in the reality of the past and hope to the future. This alongside the poem’s vivid imagery, emotional landscape and poetic structure became the creative catalyst for my composition also entitled “Fides, Spes.” “Fides, Spes” was commissioned by the James Madison University Contemporary Music Festival for the 2022 Festival.

Joy is come to the little Everywhere;

Pink to the peach and pink to the apple, White to the pear.

Stars are come to the dogwood, Astral, pale;

Mists are pink on the red-bud, Veil after veil.

Flutes for the feathery locusts, Soft as spray;

Tongues of the lovers for chestnuts, poplars, Babbling May.

Yellow plumes for the willows’ Wind-blown hair;

Oak trees and sycamores only Comfortless bare.

Sore from steel and the watching, Somber and old,—

Wooing robes for the beeches, larches, Splashed with gold;

Breath o’ love to the lilac, Warm with noon.—

Great hearts cold when the little Beat mad so soon.

What is their faith to bear it Till it come,

Waiting with rain-cloud and swallow, Frozen, dumb?

— Willa Cather (1873-1947). This poem is in the public domain and was first published in “April Twilights and other Poems” in 1903.

DURATION: approx. 7:15 minutes

For more information: info@ingridstolzel.com www.ingridstolzel.com