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. The design 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" (Maya Angelou), "'Tis not that Dying hurts us so" (Emily Dickinson), and "Let Evening Come" (Jane Kenyon). Let Evening Come was recorded by soprano Benita Valenti, pianist Cynthia Raim and violist Michael Tree, and released on Centaur Records.