Composer

:

George Crumb

Genre

:

Vocal

Style

:

Song Cycle

Compose Date

:

1979

Average_duration

:

23:25

Movement_count

:

9

Movement ....

'Apparition' is a composition for soprano and amplified piano, composed by George Crumb in 1979. The piece was premiered on October 26, 1980, at the Library of Congress in Washington, D.C., with soprano Ann Crumb and the composer himself on the piano. The composition consists of seven movements, each of which is based on a poem by Walt Whitman. The movements are titled "The Night in Silence Under Many a Star," "When Lilacs Last in the Dooryard Bloom'd," "Dark Mother Always Gliding Near With Soft Feet," "Approach Strong Deliveress," "Death Carol," "Come Lovely and Soothing Death," and "The Last Invocation." The piece is characterized by its use of extended techniques on the piano, such as plucking the strings and using a glass tumbler to create a haunting, ethereal sound. The soprano part is also unconventional, with the singer often whispering, speaking, or singing in a non-traditional manner. The overall effect is one of otherworldliness and mystery, as if the music is summoning spirits from beyond. The first movement, "The Night in Silence Under Many a Star," sets the tone for the piece with its sparse, delicate piano part and whispered vocals. The second movement, "When Lilacs Last in the Dooryard Bloom'd," is the longest and most complex, with the soprano singing in a more traditional manner and the piano part becoming more dissonant and chaotic as the movement progresses. The third movement, "Dark Mother Always Gliding Near With Soft Feet," is a haunting, atmospheric piece that features the soprano whispering and speaking in a ghostly voice. The fourth movement, "Approach Strong Deliveress," is more upbeat and rhythmic, with the soprano singing in a more traditional manner and the piano part featuring percussive, jazzy rhythms. The fifth movement, "Death Carol," is a mournful, dirge-like piece that features the soprano singing in a low, mournful voice. The sixth movement, "Come Lovely and Soothing Death," is a more peaceful, meditative piece that features the soprano singing in a higher, more ethereal voice. The final movement, "The Last Invocation," is a powerful, climactic piece that brings the composition to a close with its intense, dissonant piano part and soaring vocals. Overall, 'Apparition' is a haunting, otherworldly composition that showcases Crumb's unique approach to music and his ability to create a sense of mystery and wonder through sound.

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