This work is based upon a part-song that I wrote in 1947.  Originally for three unaccompanied treble voices, in 2013 I made this arrangement of it for the Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra and the Hush Music Foundation.  The text of the part-song is by Robert Herrick (1591-1674).  Called To Meadows, it tells of the passing of summer and the arrival of autumn.  It begins:

The Pastorale contains my personal feelings about autumn.  For me, it has always been the most productive of the seasons.  I have marked it teneramente, tenderly.  It is lovingly dedicated to the memory of Christian Heyward.

 

 

P.S.