Gemstones – SSA/SSAA

The author, S. Frances Harrison, was a Canadian poet and composer writing at the turn of the 20th century. These two gemstone poems contrast each other beautifully: Amethyst works from the general to the specific, whereas Chrysoprase starts with a description of the colour, then expands to become more broad.

In Amethyst, we explore a mysterious sense of wonder driven by the opening motif. The piece expands and contracts with the text, coming to a climax with the strength of the “field of fire” section, ultimately giving way to a scintillating final chord. Chrysoprase embodies pure joy at the discovery of a new colour, with excitement building with each repetition of the melody. This energy drives the piece, diving into a world of enchantment.