The Raven for Flute Choir and Narrator - Music: Max Heinrich, Poem: Edgar Allen Poe

Max Heinrich (1853-1916) was a German baritone singer, pianist and composer. After his studies at the Dresden Conservatory, he came to America at the age of twenty. He appeared at the Metropolitan Opera in its early seasons and became renowned for his performances in oratorio and concert settings. He considered himself a pianist first, and was one of the only professional singers of his time to perform his own piano accompaniments. His compositions for voice and piano emphasize expression over technicality, and encourage listeners to connect with the meaning of the piece.

Edgar Allan Poe (1809-1849) was an American writer, poet, and literary critic known for his macabre and gothic tales. “The Raven” was published in 1845 and was notable for its rhythmic musicality, stylized language, and its dark setting. The poem was immediately successful and continues to be one of the most famous and beloved poems ever written.

Originally for solo piano and narrator, this arrangement for flute choir with narrator is suitable for advanced ensembles. This arrangement features the contrabass flute, an ominous presence underscoring each repetition of “nevermore.”