Slumber, My Darling

With music and lyrics both composed by Stephen Foster in 1862 its elegantly simple and lyrical melody allow for a variety of colors and textures including low woodwinds, predominant melodic material played by low brass and low woodwinds, solo voices, and flowing counterpoint. The contrasting interlude includes short quotes of other Foster songs and should carry the listener, not to sleep, but into a realm of exuberance and gratitude.