This Is Thy Hour

A majestic opening unfolds to a rhythmic ostinato that acts as the underpinning for the text of this work. A plaintive middle section contrasts with legato vocal lines for the text "thee fully forth emerging." The work concludes by revisiting the opening material and ends with triumphant homophonic chords before a restatement of the softer middle section, expressing the wonder of that which the poet loves best. May be performed as part of a collection of four Whitman settings by the composer.