A Wintery Mix

This selection and its companions were written when the composer returned to his hometown after a few years away. This was a busy year for him. In addition to this famous set he produced four complete operas. Accompanying this work is a group of corresponding sonnets, likely written by composer himself. The words that complement this selection describe biting snow, stinging winds, and accidents on the ice, and the music evokes these frosty characteristics with chilling musical effects.