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About the Composer

Norman Mathews

Norman Mathews’ Rossetti Songs, to Christina Rossetti poetry for mezzo-soprano, piano, flute, and cello, was recorded by Navona Records (NV5827). His art songs have been performed at the Kennedy Center. Ye Are Many—They Are Few, Cantata for a Just World, for four singers and piano, received a Puffin Foundation grant and was premiered at The...

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Graphite Publishing

Velvet Shoes

Name: Velvet Shoes
SKU: GP-M002
Availability: InStock

Norman Mathews

“soundless space…white silence below”

Difficulty: 4

Duration: less than 3 min.

GP-M002

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voice, piano

In “Velvet Shoes,” the phrases “soundless space” and “white silence below” most informed Mathews in finding the appropriate tranquility in this composition. The slow, steady eighth notes of the accompaniment helped to locate this effect. Mathews’ setting of the poem is distinctly in contrast to the very famous version composed by Randall Thompson, which instead is marked quasi una marcia in lontananza.

Composer’s Notes

In “Velvet Shoes,” the phrases “soundless space” and “white silence below” help the music find the appropriate tranquility in this composition. The slow, steady eighth notes of the accompaniment helped to locate this effect. This setting of the poem is distinctly in contrast to the very famous version composed by Randall Thompson, which instead is marked quasi una marcia in lontananza.

Text

Let us walk in the white snow
In a soundless space;
With footsteps quiet and slow,
At a tranquil pace,
Under veils of white lace.
I shall go shod in silk,
And you in wool,
White as a white cow’s milk,
More beautiful
Than the breast of a gull.
We shall walk through the still town
In a windless peace;
We shall step upon white down,
Upon silver fleece,
Upon softer than these.
We shall walk in velvet shoes:
Wherever we go
Silence will fall like dews
On white silence below.
We shall walk in the snow.