Composer

:

Paul Hindemith

Genre

:

Choral

Style

:

Choral

Compose Date

:

1946

Average_duration

:

61:56

Movement_count

:

11

Movement ....

"When Lilacs Last in the Dooryard Bloom'd" is a choral work composed by Paul Hindemith in 1946. The piece is a setting of Walt Whitman's poem of the same name, which was written in memory of Abraham Lincoln. The work was premiered on April 13, 1946, by the New York Philharmonic under the direction of Artur Rodzinski. The piece is divided into three movements, each of which is characterized by a different mood and musical style. The first movement, "Lilacs," is a somber and mournful setting of the poem's opening lines. The music is slow and contemplative, with long, sustained chords and a sense of deep sadness. The second movement, "When I Heard the Learn'd Astronomer," is a more upbeat and lively setting of a different Whitman poem. The music is faster and more rhythmic, with a sense of energy and excitement. This movement serves as a contrast to the first, and provides a moment of relief from the intense emotions of the opening. The final movement, "O Captain! My Captain!" is a triumphant and celebratory setting of Whitman's famous poem. The music is fast and energetic, with a sense of joy and exultation. This movement serves as a cathartic release from the sadness of the first movement, and provides a sense of closure and resolution to the piece as a whole. Overall, "When Lilacs Last in the Dooryard Bloom'd" is a powerful and emotional work that captures the spirit of Whitman's poetry and the memory of Abraham Lincoln. Hindemith's music is deeply expressive and evocative, and serves as a fitting tribute to one of America's greatest presidents.

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