Miss Dickinson graciously invites March in for a conversation, only to be interrupted by April’s arrival, in this delightfully whimsical waltz. The third month is not merely personified by the poet, but by the composer in his abundant use of thirds, and other techniques of tone painting. Since March is considered the first month of Spring, the initial notes of the repeating refrain act as springboards. The words “out of breath...” are placed over a hemiola, giving the impression a breath is actually needed. Invited to “come right upstairs...” the notes ascend stepwise, wafting us upward with them. At the phrase, “I have so much to tell,” the music suddenly becomes polyphonic, as if the speaker is attempting to say everything at once. And you can’t miss April’s arrival, knocking boldly at the door! One of Dickinson’s most fanciful and ebullient works, the music couldn’t be more fitting. Considerable repetition, hastens the learning process.

‘Dear March’ is the second of Emily Dickinson’s nature poems, set by Kenneth Neufeld in a collection entitled, “a Stranger yet.” Please see two more movements (sold separately): ‘Mystery’ (from which the triptych’s name is derived), and the award-winning ‘Bring Me the Sunset.’