Composer

:

Ricky Ian Gordon

Genre

:

Vocal

Style

:

Vocal Music

Average_duration

:

2:51

Ricky Ian Gordon's "My Sister's New Red Hat" is a song cycle composed in 1996. The piece premiered in New York City in 1997, with soprano Renée Fleming and pianist Brian Zeger performing. The cycle consists of six movements, each based on a poem by different poets, including Emily Dickinson, Langston Hughes, and Dorothy Parker. The first movement, "The Red Dress," is based on a poem by Dorothy Parker and features a playful and upbeat melody. The second movement, "The Dream Keeper," is based on a poem by Langston Hughes and has a more contemplative and introspective feel. The third movement, "The Chariot," is based on a poem by Emily Dickinson and is characterized by its driving rhythm and soaring vocal lines. The fourth movement, "The Fish," is based on a poem by Elizabeth Bishop and has a more subdued and melancholic tone. The fifth movement, "The Red Hat," is based on a poem by Rachel Hadas and features a lively and energetic melody. The final movement, "The Last Invocation," is based on a poem by Walt Whitman and is characterized by its grand and sweeping vocal lines. Throughout the cycle, Gordon's music is characterized by its lyrical melodies, lush harmonies, and sensitive accompaniment. The vocal writing is particularly notable, with each movement showcasing Fleming's virtuosic range and expressive abilities. Overall, "My Sister's New Red Hat" is a beautiful and evocative work that showcases Gordon's skill as a composer and Fleming's talent as a performer.

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