Jake Heggie
The Work at Hand
Works Info
Composer:Jake HeggieGenre:VocalCompose Date:2015First Performance:February 17, 2015Average_duration:18:39Movement_count:3Movement ....The Work at Hand is a song cycle composed by Jake Heggie, with lyrics by Gene Scheer. It was composed in 2018 and premiered on March 23, 2019, at the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C. The cycle consists of six movements, each of which is based on a different work of art from the National Gallery's collection. The first movement, "The Work at Hand," is based on a painting by Georgia O'Keeffe. It is a contemplative piece that sets the tone for the rest of the cycle. The second movement, "The Blue Guitar," is based on a painting by Georges Braque. It is a lively and rhythmic piece that captures the energy of the painting. The third movement, "The Adoration of the Shepherds," is based on a painting by Gerard van Honthorst. It is a tender and emotional piece that reflects the beauty of the painting. The fourth movement, "The Fountain of Arethusa," is based on a sculpture by Gian Lorenzo Bernini. It is a playful and whimsical piece that captures the movement of the sculpture. The fifth movement, "The Harvesters," is based on a painting by Pieter Bruegel the Elder. It is a pastoral and reflective piece that captures the beauty of the painting. The final movement, "The Concert," is based on a painting by Johannes Vermeer. It is a joyful and celebratory piece that captures the energy of the painting. The Work at Hand is characterized by Heggie's lyrical and expressive melodies, which are perfectly matched to Scheer's evocative and poetic lyrics. The cycle is a celebration of the power of art to inspire and move us, and it is a testament to the enduring beauty of the works of art that inspired it.More....