Written and selected finalist for William Howard's Love Songs Project Competition 2017.

first performance

William Howard (piano) at Hoxton Hall, London (UK) on 26 April 2017.

programme note

for William

Sappho was exiled for a time in Sicily due to political upheaval in Lesbos; this is the only event in her life for which there is actual documented evidence. During her time in Sicily, it is said that she flung herself off of the Leucadian promontory over unrequited love for a boatman named Phaon.

Even during times of abject terror and being in fear of the world around us, love can still stop us in our path and eclipse the things that we once thought were significant.

Love holds me captive again and I tremble with bittersweet longing

As a gale on the mountainside bends the oak tree I am rocked by my love. -njd