Composer

:

Ricky Ian Gordon

Genre

:

Vocal

Style

:

Vocal Music

Average_duration

:

2:43

'Joy' is a song cycle composed by Ricky Ian Gordon, an American composer known for his vocal music. The cycle was composed in 2012 and premiered on November 18, 2012, at the Allen Room in New York City. The cycle consists of 14 songs, each of which explores the theme of joy in different ways. The first movement, "Joy," sets the tone for the cycle with a bright and energetic melody. The second movement, "The Red Dress," is a playful and flirtatious song about a woman getting ready for a night out. The third movement, "The Spring and the Fall," is a bittersweet reflection on the passing of time and the changing of the seasons. The fourth movement, "The Fisherman," is a lively and rhythmic song about a man who finds joy in his work. The fifth movement, "The Lake Isle of Innisfree," is a setting of the famous poem by W.B. Yeats, which celebrates the beauty of nature and the joy it can bring. The sixth movement, "The House on the Hill," is a haunting and melancholy song about a lost love. The seventh movement, "The White Haired Woman," is a tender and nostalgic song about an elderly woman looking back on her life. The eighth movement, "The Joy of Cooking," is a humorous and lighthearted song about the pleasures of food and cooking. The ninth movement, "The Joy of Little Things," is a simple and sweet song about finding joy in the small moments of life. The tenth movement, "The Joy of Music," is a passionate and exuberant celebration of the power of music to bring joy to our lives. The eleventh movement, "The Joy of Love," is a tender and romantic song about the joy of being in love. The twelfth movement, "The Joy of Life," is a triumphant and uplifting song about the joy of being alive. The thirteenth movement, "The Joy of Death," is a contemplative and peaceful song about finding joy in the acceptance of death. The final movement, "Joy (Reprise)," brings the cycle full circle with a reprise of the opening song, reminding us that joy is always within reach if we are open to it. Overall, 'Joy' is a diverse and emotionally rich song cycle that explores the many facets of joy in our lives.

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