“Nature, the gentlest mother” is the first of Aaron Copeland’s song set for soprano voice, Twelve Poems of Emily Dickinson, orchestrated in 1958. This song holds a special place in my heart as I chose it to end my senior voice recital in college. I fell in love with the piece when I first heard Barbara Bonney sing the set.
The vocals and nature videography were recorded by me this past weekend in Maui, Hawaii, in collaboration with Jennifer Dale’s accompaniment on piano. Traditionally you will hear this piece sung with an operatic sound and robust vocal vibrato. However, I chose to sing it with more of a straight-tone sound for a tender, ethereal feel, which I think goes nicely with Dickinson’s poetry. I hope you will enjoy this performance. 🌿💗
If you have difficulty viewing on post, follow this link to YouTube.
Nature, the gentlest mother: Emily Dickinson
Nature, the gentlest mother,
Impatient of no child,
The feeblest or the waywardest,—
Her admonition mild
In forest and the hill
By traveller is heard,
Restraining rampant squirrel
Or too impetuous bird.
How fair her conversation,
A summer afternoon,—
Her household, her assembly;
And when the sun goes down
Her voice among the aisles
Incites the timid prayer
Of the minutest cricket,
The most unworthy flower.
When all the children sleep
She turns as long away
As will suffice to light her lamps;
Then, bending from the sky,
With infinite affection
And infiniter care,
Her golden finger on her lip,
Wills silence everywhere.

This is a beautiful post Katy; blending Emily’s poem, your writing, beautiful voice, and the wonderful settings of Maui. Nature is a gentle and beautiful mother, although she can be harsh too.
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Thank you so much, Brad 🥰 I’m thrilled you enjoyed this post. Nature is truly incredible 🌊🌿🌺 Hope you are having a beautiful day!
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Yes, nature is amazing, especially when you live in a tropical paradise! 🌺
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Oh Katy, it is breathtaking 💜💜💜
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Awe! Thank you so much 💗🥰
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Reblogged this on johncoyote and commented:
Katy song and poetry. Amazing words and song for nature.
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This is outstanding dear Katy. Thank you for sharing your amazing work.
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Thank you so much for sharing, John. I really appreciate your support for my music 🥰🎶
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You are a amazing woman and you are welcome dear Katy.
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This is stunning! You have a beautiful voice and the images of Maui brought back such fond memories of Hawaii for me. Thank you for posting 🙏🙏🙏❤️
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Thank you so much, Ingrid. 🥰 I’m glad it bring back fond memories for you🌿🌊🌺 Hope you are having a lovely week!
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Quite stunning was this scenery Katy and your rendition and interpretation quite lovely, watching and listening was a beautiful experience that leaves you with a profound sense of peace and tranquility. Thank you 😊
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Thank you so much, Francisco 🥰 I’m so glad I could bring some tranquility to you through music and nature 🎶🌿 Hope you are having a lovely week.
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My pleasure Katy, it is a delight to listen to you and to enjoy the photography that you post. You too, have a lovely week!
F.
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Wonderful!!! ❤
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Thank you so much, Tiffany 🥰💗
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Incredibly beautiful.
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Thank you so much, Nico 🌿💕
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🙂🌏🏞
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Just wonderfully creative composition of your own images, your amazing voice, and the music and the poem. You have such talent and beauty; it’s divine to hear and see. 💛
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Wow, extremely beautiful! Your voice is love and peace!!
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Awe! Thank you so much 🥰 Thrilled you enjoyed this 💕
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You’re welcome. 🙂
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Wow. Your singing brought tears to my eyes. What a beautiful way to merge imagery with your voice – our world is truly magnificent! We need to be reminded of that now and then.
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Oh thank you so much 🥰 That means so much to me ♥️ Our world is truly magnificent✨Glad you enjoyed this!
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Wonderful, mother nature
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Hello dear Katy. I hope you are doing well and staying safe. I would like you to listen to some songs of Alisa Fineman. I knew her when I was station in California. Your voice and her songs. Would be a blessing. She befriended me and always found time to talk to me in the early nineties. Her song, about peace and love. We need more of both. I hope your family is enjoying the days of December. She is singing still on the Monterey coastline.
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Wonderful images of Maui, and wonderfully sung! I hope you’re doing fine! 😊💐
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Thinking of you lovely Katy. Missing your beautiful creativity and hoping you are well.
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