Composer

:

Ned Rorem

Genre

:

Vocal

Style

:

Quartet

Compose Date

:

1947

Average_duration

:

6:21

Movement_count

:

4

Movement ....

Ned Rorem's "Madrigals (4) on texts of Sappho for vocal quartet" is a composition that premiered in 1980. The piece is divided into four movements, each of which sets a different text by the ancient Greek poet Sappho. The first movement, "To Aphrodite," is a prayer to the goddess of love. The music is slow and contemplative, with the voices weaving in and out of each other in a complex polyphonic texture. The second movement, "He is more than a hero," is a tribute to a lover who is compared to a hero. The music is more lively and rhythmic, with a driving pulse that propels the piece forward. The third movement, "The moon has set," is a lament for a lost love. The music is slow and mournful, with long, sustained notes that create a sense of longing and sadness. The final movement, "I have a beautiful daughter," is a celebration of the joys of motherhood. The music is light and playful, with a sense of joy and happiness that is infectious. Overall, Rorem's "Madrigals (4) on texts of Sappho for vocal quartet" is a beautiful and complex work that showcases the composer's skill at setting text to music. The piece is characterized by its intricate polyphonic textures, its use of complex rhythms and harmonies, and its ability to convey a wide range of emotions through the voices of the singers.

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