Hymn to Intellectual Beauty

This vocal setting of Percy Bysshe Shelley's poem reflects Shelley's use of lyricism, meticulous attention to detail, metaphor, and assonance. Frederic Sharaf constructed Hymn to Intellectual Beauty as Program Music, with unresolved dissonant harmonies placed specifically to accent the meaning of the poetry. "Fortspinnung" - the development or spinning out of a musical motif - is the prevalent fabric of the piece. This piece is dedicated to Frederic Sharaf's aunt, Irene Sharaf.