Dream Variations

2023

For Clarinet, Violin, Cello, and Piano
Duration: 6 minutes

I have long held an appreciation and respect for the work of American poet Langston Hughes. His ability to illustrate striking scenes with his lyrical words while also subtly (and often directly) highlighting the plight of African Americans are hallmarks of his poetry. His first book, The Weary Blues, was published in 1926, and yet his words read freshly now, as if the ink has yet to dry. The poem from with this present work takes its title – Dream Variations – speaks to the day-to-day life of African Americans in the 1920s United States, underlining themes of working through oppression, dancing towards survival, and finding joy and self-awareness within the African American community.

Dream Variations

To fling my arms wide
In some place of the sun,
To whirl and to dance
Till the white day is done.
Then rest at cool evening
Beneath a tall tree
While night comes on gently,
Dark like me—
That is my dream!

To fling my arms wide
In the face of the sun,
Dance! Whirl! Whirl!
Till the quick day is done.
Rest at pale evening . . .
A tall, slim tree . . .
Night coming tenderly
Black like me.

Dream Variations was commissioned by Copland House for its CULTIVATE 2023 Emerging Composers’ Institute. It received its World Premiere performances by the Music from Copland House ensemble on June 11, 2023 at the Hoff-Barthelson Music School in Scarsdale, NY and June 12, 2023 at Elebash Hall at The Graduate Center of the City University of New York.

Support for CULTIVATE 2023 comes from the ASCAP and BMI Foundations, Alice M. Ditson Fund of Columbia University, Friends of Copland House, Jandon Foundation, and New Music USA's Organizational Development Fund. Additional program support comes from the Amphion Foundation, ArtsWestchester, Aaron Copland Fund for Music, David and Elzbieta Grove Foundation, National Endowment for the Arts, and New York State Council on the Arts.