Composer

:

John Woods Duke

Genre

:

Vocal

Style

:

Vocal Music

Compose Date

:

1950

Average_duration

:

2:57

"Acquainted With the Night" is a song cycle composed by John Woods Duke in 1942. The cycle consists of five movements, each of which sets a poem by a different poet. The premiere of the cycle took place in 1943, with the composer accompanying the baritone soloist. The first movement, "Acquainted With the Night," sets a poem by Robert Frost. The music is somber and introspective, with a slow tempo and a melancholy melody. The piano accompaniment is spare and atmospheric, evoking the sense of walking alone at night. The second movement, "The Last Invocation," sets a poem by Walt Whitman. The music is more upbeat and optimistic than the first movement, with a faster tempo and a more lively melody. The piano accompaniment is more active, with arpeggios and runs that suggest the energy and vitality of life. The third movement, "The Night Dances," sets a poem by Sylvia Plath. The music is playful and whimsical, with a syncopated rhythm and a light, airy melody. The piano accompaniment is lively and dance-like, evoking the sense of movement and motion. The fourth movement, "The Night is Darkening Round Me," sets a poem by Emily Bronte. The music is slow and mournful, with a simple melody and a sparse piano accompaniment. The mood is one of resignation and acceptance, as the speaker contemplates the approach of death. The final movement, "The Night is Calm," sets a poem by William Wordsworth. The music is peaceful and serene, with a slow tempo and a gentle melody. The piano accompaniment is simple and understated, evoking the sense of stillness and quiet that comes with the end of the day. Overall, "Acquainted With the Night" is a powerful and evocative song cycle that explores the many moods and emotions associated with night. From the melancholy introspection of Robert Frost to the playful whimsy of Sylvia Plath, the cycle captures the full range of human experience and emotion.

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