Samuel R. Hazo: Their Blossoms Down

  
This gentle piece has a lush Irish feel, and is inspired by a poem from an old Irish blessing that is inclued for optional narrator.  "When the storms break for him, may the trees shake for him their blossoms down.  And in the night that he is troubled, may a friend wake for him so that his time be doubled.  And at the end of all loving and love, may the lord above give him a crown".  Lower-voiced instruments play the rich "piper's drone" while the melody floats among the sections, encouraging beautiful tone production and sensitive playing.  Rich ensemble scoring and selective meter changes bring the work to a serene yet powerful conclusion.