Bolcom's commission was originally to write a duet piece for Metropolitan Opera stars soprano Benita Valente and mezzo-soprano Tatiana Troyanos. However, while the composition was in development, Troyanos unexpectedly died. Thedesign was then changed, representing the late mezzo-soprano with a viola instead. The composer selected three poems about the acceptance of death for the set: “Ailey, Baldwin, Floyd, Killens and Mayfield” (MayaAngelou), “'Tis not that Dying hurts us so&r...