Heroic Poem

This piece, dedicated to the memory of a heroic feat, does not desire to be classed as a Symphonic Poem in the generally accepted sense of this term. It does not attempt to picture, or to strictly follow, the various mechanical and realistic phases of this heroic adventure although, on the other hand, it does not entirely avoid allusion to such realistic phenomena as are characteristic of and inseperable from the nature of this adventure and the technical means of its realization. The composer's main object, however, was to try to express in sound the emotional phases of an adventure that might be called a prototype of modern romance: to touch upon its human aspect andits ethical meaning, not only in the relation to the individual, but to humanity in general. To the individual, the venturing Hero, refer the opening phrases: the sinister aspect of a bold inspiration at its first manifestation. To his human environments, his character and conquering spirit, refer certain lyrical as well as martial and ehical themes. According to the nature of the venture, the clash of motoric forces and that of an indomitable spirit with the threatening elements presented themselves for musical consideration as well as the plausible uncertainty of the outcome, the increasing conficence and the final victory, and triumphant victory itself. And as emotion in its purest and most intense form reverts to the primitive, the composer thought it not amiss to make fragmentary use of the anthems of two nations, thus symbolizing the appeal from soil to soil: an appeal that found its joyous echo in all humanity. And in the midst of the turbulent rejoicing stands the lone figure of the Hero whose daring had materialized the dream of aeons.