Love Went a-Riding

Conductor Notes:

Allegro energico are the first words one sees when starting this piece – that phrase describes the musical journey perfectly. Stephen Smith takes the exuberant solo song of Frank Bridge, ‘Love Went A-Riding'(text by Mary Coleridge), keeps the piano accompaniment intact, and turns this high-riding, joyous celebration of a song into a chorus for SSAA voices and piano.

From the very first measure the voices prepare to ride the wild Pegasus’ gallop to adventure. The challenge is to deliver the text through the complexity of the piano accompaniment, utilize dynamics to enhance the dramatic nature of the poetry, and keep the rhythm bound tightly to the pace of the piano. Sounding as if they’re throwing voices and caution to the wind (but keeping a careful ear to the rhythm and harmony), both voices and piano together celebrate the birth of spring with its irresistible arrival of love. (Note by Diane Loomer)