O'er Flowery Meads (Berceuse)

Here's a nice one that fits perfectly into my "Summertime Dream Series"!

It's by American composer, Marion Austin Dunn (Marion Austin Dunn (26 April 1888 — 13 April 1959). I know very little about her, but I believe that was from Minneapolis, Minnesota.

I seem to recall finding other information about her, but I can't find that now, IF I did have it.

"O'er Flowery Meads" was published in 1921 by White-Smith Publishing Company. It bears the dedication: "To my Parents".

It's a nice pastorale or "Berceuse" (alternate title) in the soft and soothing key of D-flat major.

Dunn gives an optional chime part in the central section. While, I'm not a lover of organ ding-dongs, I probably would have used them if I had them, but since I don't, I tried to "replicate" them at around the 3:10 mark.

Doing this by using an 8' flute, added another 8' flute as I struck the note, quickly removing it, and then dropping to another softer 8' flute on an adjoining manual. It really didn't produce much of a result, and I'd have been better off I hadn't fussed at it! I mention it in case you notice it, and wonder what I was doing! ;-)

This was a case when "cleverness" is more of a fault than of a virtue. :-)

I dedicate this to our member "voixcelestis" in appreciation of his friendship, for scores he has shared with me, and for first calling Marion Austin Dunn to may attention.

THANKS, Mike!

The score is attached below, as well as the MIDI file of the original wav recording.

Peace to All!