Albert Anker - Young Mother Contemplating Her Sleeping Child by Candlelight, Hector Berlioz - Waverly Overture Op.1,, Robert Browning - Misconceptions

I'm sending this out two days early this week because I'm going to be busy the next two days helping my daughter-in-law get food into the freezer for the upcoming birth of their new baby, so I won't have internet access for a couple of days, but I didn't want to miss a week....  I've also had trouble being able to answer comments because our computer protections are too strong and I need my husband to temporarily disable them so I can answer comments.  I do read and appreciate any comments!!  I love hearing from you! 

This painting of a mother and her sleeping daughter by Albert Anker warms my heart!

Young Mother Contemplating Her Sleeping Child by Candlelight

Our piece this week is Waverly Overture Op.1 by Hector Berlioz.  Hector Berlioz's music is a bit like our Minnesota weather - if you don't like it, wait a few minutes and it will change.  I'm still having mixed feelings about his music, but there are parts of each piece that I really like.  This piece is no exception.  I've also noticed that each piece seems to end with a dramatic fanfare. 

And our poem by Robert Browning is - Misconceptions

This is a spray the Bird clung to,
Making it blossom with pleasure,
Ere the high tree-top she sprung to,
Fit for her nest and her treasure.
Oh, what a hope beyond measure
Was the poor spray's, which the flying feet hung to,—
So to be singled out, built in, and sung to!

This is a heart the Queen leant on,
Thrilled in a minute erratic,
Ere the true bosom she bent on,
Meet for love's regal dalmatic.
Oh, what a fancy ecstatic
Was the poor heart's, ere the wanderer went on—
Love to be saved for it, proffered to, spent on!