Composer

:

Richard Hundley

Genre

:

Vocal

Average_duration

:

2:01

"Epitaph of a Young Girl" is a song cycle composed by Richard Hundley in 1978. The premiere of the work was given by soprano Phyllis Bryn-Julson and pianist Martin Katz at the Library of Congress in Washington, D.C. on May 2, 1979. The cycle consists of five movements, each of which sets a poem by a different author. The first movement, "The Garden," sets a poem by Ezra Pound. It is a melancholy reflection on the transience of life and the inevitability of death. The music is spare and haunting, with a simple piano accompaniment that underscores the sense of loss and sadness in the text. The second movement, "The Sick Rose," sets a poem by William Blake. It is a dark and brooding meditation on the destructive power of love. The music is intense and passionate, with a driving piano accompaniment that underscores the sense of urgency and desperation in the text. The third movement, "The Nightingale," sets a poem by John Keats. It is a lyrical and romantic reflection on the beauty of nature and the power of music to soothe the soul. The music is lush and expressive, with a flowing piano accompaniment that evokes the gentle rhythms of the natural world. The fourth movement, "The Last Invocation," sets a poem by Walt Whitman. It is a powerful and emotional plea for peace and understanding in a world torn apart by war and violence. The music is dramatic and intense, with a driving piano accompaniment that underscores the urgency and passion of the text. The final movement, "Epitaph of a Young Girl," sets a poem by Dorothy Parker. It is a poignant and heartbreaking reflection on the loss of a young life and the sense of emptiness and despair that follows. The music is spare and haunting, with a simple piano accompaniment that underscores the sense of loss and sadness in the text. Overall, "Epitaph of a Young Girl" is a powerful and emotional work that showcases Hundley's skill as a composer and his ability to capture the essence of each poem in his music. The cycle is a testament to the enduring power of poetry and music to move and inspire us, even in the face of tragedy and loss.

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