At That Hour When All Things Have Repose, the title track of Henry's new album, At That Hour: Art Songs by Henry Dehlinger, is out today. Now streaming, it is masterfully sung by Met soprano Danielle Talamantes.
It is sure to become a favorite among soprano - and tenor - vocalists. With text by James Joyce, it forms part of Henry's Ten Poems of James Joyce, available in High Voice and Medium Voice collections. A soft, rubato melody rises above the opening bass octave. The emphasis on the monosyllables establishes the text’s iambic rhythm. But the effect is a slowing of the tempo, thus achieving the “repose” intimated in the first line. “Play on, invisible harps, unto love” is emphasized by corresponding arpeggios in the piano, mimicking a harp. After a dramatic sweep, the vocal line descends back to a condition of repose.