CD Inserts

To A Butterfly
by
William Wordsworth
(Composed April 20, 1802 - Published 1807)

I've Watched you now and full half-hour,
Self-poised upon that yellow flower;
And, little butterfly! indeed
I know not if you sleep or feed.
How motionless! - not frozen seas
More motionless! and then
What joy awaits you when the breeze
Hath found you out among the trees,
And calls you forth again!

This plot of orchard-ground is ours;
My trees they are, my Sister's flowers.
Here rest your wings when they are weary;
Here lodge as in a sanctuary!
Come often to us, fear no wrong;
Sit near us on the bough!
We'll talk of sunshine and of song,
And summer days, that were as long
As twenty days are now.

Program Notes

Robert Schumann's intended career as a concert pianist ended before it actually began. After inventing an exercise gadget that he hoped would quickly strengthen his hands, he over-used it and instead, permanently injured a finger. He was now forced to turn his attention to composing.

Papillons, Op.2, written in 1832 is Schumann's first significant musical composition. The music itself is not meant to evoke images of butterflies (papillons). Rather, Schumann used this title in reference to himself, emerging to a new life as a composer - the way a butterfly emerges from the chrysalis to begin a new phase of life.

"Papillons" is a musical rendering of the ballroom scene from a chapter of the novel "Flegeljahre" by Jean Paul Richter, Schumann's favorite novelist. This composition is actually a series of twelve Austrian, German, and Polish dances, some reminiscent of the Schubert waltzes (#11 and #15), another in polonaise rhythm (#18). The finale (#19) is based on the "Grandfather's Dance" (Grossvatertanz), a dance tune popular at weddings in the 17th century. It usually marked the end of the evening's festivities. When listening to the finale, imagine a masked ball coming to a close. The guests gradually leave the ballroom, the clock strikes six, and the music fades away. The "eleventh finger" in the finale was contributed by Joanne Aquavia!

Piano Music Inspired by and Written in Tribute to the Butterfly.
Track Listing

1.Schmetterling (Butterfly) Op.8 #4 - Gustav Merkel 1827-1885
2.Concert Etude Op. 18 "The Butterfly" - Calixa Lavallee 1842-1891
3.Papillon Op. 39 #23 (Miniature) - Hugo Reinhold 1854-1935
4.Butterfly Op. 43 #1 - Edward Grieg 1843-1907
5.Yellow Butterflies (Waltz) - Matilee Loeb Evans
6.Etude Op.25 #9 "Butterfly" - Frederic Chopin 1810-1849
7.Chasing Butterflies Op.63 #11 - Jean-Louis Streabbog 1835-1886
8-19.Papillons Op. 2 - Robert Schumann 1810-1856
(Introduction and 12 Short Dances)

Nancy Aquavia Westberg - Pianist