Poetry Pairings: Classical Music Edition - Read Poetry

“ My Sad Self ” by Allen Ginsberg

Erik Satie: Gnossienne: No. 3 

Beat poet Allen Ginsberg reveals a deep feeling of disconnect with the vibrant city of New York in this poem. The discordant, floating feeling is mirrored in Satie’s Gnossienne: No. 3. Its slow, somber, descending notes serve as the perfect backdrop as readers picture Ginsberg traveling through the boroughs of New York, the world whizzing by. 

“ Ah, Ah ” by Joy Harjo

Antonin Dvorak: The Moldau (from Má Vlast): Allegro 

Spanning, spinning, and dreamlike, Dvorak’s piece perfectly suits the nature-filled wonderment of Joy Harjo’s “Ah, Ah.” With a fast pace, both Harjo and Dvorak place their audience at the edge of their seats—positioning each measure as a new image in their minds. As the poem and the piece progress, the images become larger, more vibrant, and all-encompassing. 

“ The Raven ” by Edgar Allan Poe

Hector Berlioz: Symphonie Fantastique, Op. 14, H 48: 5b. Songe d’une nuit du Sabbat – Dies irae

Looming and ominous, “The Raven” is the quintessential poem of grief and fear. With the sound of a chiming clock tower and heavy, intimidating tones, Berlioz’s piece evokes the image of the raven at every turn. Listeners of the piece can easily imagine our protagonist’s fast and fearful movements as he is haunted by memories of the late Lenore. 

“ American Smooth ” by Rita Dove

Ravel: La Valse, M. 72

Spinning and swirling, this piece whisks listeners away on a whirlwind waltz that’s equal parts smooth and bombastic. As Dove and Ravel mimic the experience of achieving flight, readers and listeners may forget for a moment that we’re merely human as the magic of music and dance sweep us off our feet. 

“ The Afternoon Sun ” by C. P. Cavafy

Antonio Vivaldi: Sonata for Vincello and Basso continuo No. 5 in E Minor, RV 40: III. Largo

Wistful and dreamy, this piece by Vivaldi perfectly complements Cavafy’s “The Afternoon Sun.” As Cavafy revisits the home he and a former lover shared, memories flood back of the room as it was—each piece of furniture intact. Listening to Vivaldi’s work while reading this poem creates a cinematic experience, as we picture each element in the room fall into place. 

“ Douce Souvenance ” by Jessie Redmon Fauset

Claude Debussy: Rêverie 

Nostalgia takes center stage yet again for this last classical music and poetry pairing. The yearning ebb and flow of Debussy’s Rêverie wholly intensifies Harlem Renaissance poet Jessie Redmon Fauset’s poem “Douce Souvenance” (or sweet memory). Evoking images of nature and playing with light and dark themes, both Debussy and Fauset bring to light the eternity that exists within each memory—cherished and golden.