Mirrors

To One in Paradise
By Edgar Allan Poe
Thou wast that all to me, love,
For which my soul did pine—
A green isle in the sea, love,
A fountain and a shrine,
All wreathed with fairy fruits and flowers,
And all the flowers were mine.

Ah, dream too bright to last!
Ah, starry Hope! that didst arise
But to be overcast!
A voice from out the Future cries,
“On! on!”—but o’er the Past
(Dim gulf!) my spirit hovering lies
Mute, motionless, aghast!

For, alas! alas! with me
The light of Life is o’er!
No more—no more—no more—
(Such language holds the solemn sea
To the sands upon the shore)
Shall bloom the thunder-blasted tree,
Or the stricken eagle soar!

And all my days are trances,
And all my nightly dreams
Are where thy grey eye glances,
And where thy footstep gleams—
In what ethereal dances,
By what eternal streams.

Imagine an orchestral piece inspired by a poem about a lost paradise. The composition evokes a serene yet melancholic atmosphere, capturing the essence of a forgotten, idyllic place through sound. The opening is soft, with strings and woodwinds introducing a theme that is ethereal and shrouded in mystery, like mist enveloping an ancient garden. As the piece progresses, the melody becomes more intricate, with ancient trees represented by the deep tones of cellos and basses, their branches heavy and intertwined with the delicate, otherworldly harp and flute melodies that mimic delicate flowers and dense foliage.

A narrow, winding path through this soundscape is suggested by a solo violin, leading to a secluded fountain, represented by a gentle percussion and soft, reflective piano notes, mimicking still waters and their subdued reflections. The color palette of the piece is subdued, with minor keys and modal harmonies in shades of musical green, blue, and hints of gold, suggesting a place of beauty frozen in time yet touched by sadness.

The overall composition blends detailed, nature-focused motifs with mystical, ethereal qualities, creating a bridge between reality and fantasy. The climax is rich and full, with the full orchestra coming together in a moment of enchanting beauty tinged with a sense of loss and longing, before gradually diminishing into a soft, lingering finish that invites the listener into a world that exists beyond the reach of ordinary perception.

To One In Paradise (Poe) - A Lament for Romantic Orchestra

Almighty God.mp3

Nightcore - Right Round

Gospel Of Dismay (ELECTROSWING REMIX)

Verset No. 24 by Louis J.-A. Lefébure-Wély

1312`er DRUM-step Freestyle

Richard deCosta’s organ arrangement of the hymn tune Diademata (Crown Him with Many Crowns) performed on M. P. Möller opus 6094. Richard’s arrangements can be found at www.richarddecosta.com

To One In Paradise (Poe) - A Lament for Romantic Orchestra

RicharddeCostaComposer

Related tracks