Many a Glorious Morning Have I Seen

Description

Gilreath, Leslie

Inspired by Shakespeare’s ‘Sonnet XXXIII,’ Many a Glorious Morning Have I Seen is a lush, lyrical work featuring rich harmonies, memorable melodies, and solo opportunities for flute, oboe, bassoon, clarinet, and alto saxophone.

Program Notes: Many a Glorious Morning Have I Seen is inspired by Shakespeare’s ‘Sonnet XXXIII.’

Full many a glorious morning have I seen
Flatter the mountain tops with sovereign eye,
Kissing with golden face the meadows green,
Gilding pale streams with heavenly alchemy;
Anon permit the basest clouds to ride
With ugly rack on his celestial face,
And from the forlorn world his visage hide,
Stealing unseen to west with this disgrace:
Even so my sun one early morn did shine,
With all triumphant splendour on my brow;
But out, alack, he was but one hour mine,
The region cloud hath mask’d him from me now.
Yet him for this my love no whit disdaineth;
Suns of the world may stain when heaven’s sun staineth.

Grade: 3
Duration: 4’10”