The 2027 Heritage Season concludes with the undisputed power of song. Mendelssohn's Songs Without Words expresses an extraordinary array of emotions, "not thought too indefinite to put into words, but on the contrary, too definite." These bon-bons, written for playability for all pianists but mastered by few, become jewels for solo piano. Inspired by the gorgeous poetry of Paul Verlaine, Fauré went to Venice and therefore an idyllic retreat of cafes, soirees, and private concerts, returning to Paris with his Cinq Melodies. These songs are as sun-filled and delightful as his time composing them. Charles Hubert Parry, on the other hand, spent decades curating a collection of poetry and prose across the English literary tradition, crafting each selection to hone the English art song into a shining jewel. Finally, George Whitefield Chadwick, just beginning his career as a composer and musician, went to Germany to further his studies. He returned, thought by his teachers "an extraordinary talent," with this String Quartet No. 1.