Composer

:

Ricky Ian Gordon

Genre

:

Vocal

Style

:

Variations

Average_duration

:

1:58

'Dream Variations' is a song cycle composed by Ricky Ian Gordon, an American composer known for his vocal music. The cycle was composed in 2002 and premiered in the same year at the Ravinia Festival in Highland Park, Illinois. The cycle consists of six movements, each of which sets a poem by Langston Hughes to music. The first movement, "Dream Variations," sets Hughes' poem of the same name. The music is characterized by a gentle, flowing melody that evokes the dreamlike quality of the poem. The second movement, "The Weary Blues," is more bluesy in character, with a syncopated rhythm and a mournful melody that reflects the sadness of the poem. The third movement, "I, Too," is more upbeat, with a jaunty melody that reflects the speaker's defiance in the face of oppression. The fourth movement, "Harlem Night Song," is a sultry, jazzy piece that captures the sensual atmosphere of the poem. The fifth movement, "Song for a Dark Girl," is a hauntingly beautiful piece that sets the tragic poem to a mournful melody. The final movement, "Let America Be America Again," is a powerful anthem that sets Hughes' poem of the same name. The music is characterized by a driving rhythm and a soaring melody that reflects the hope and determination of the poem. Overall, 'Dream Variations' is a beautiful and moving cycle that showcases Gordon's skill as a composer and his ability to capture the essence of Hughes' poetry in music. The cycle is a testament to the enduring power of Hughes' words and the importance of art in capturing the human experience.

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