Composer

:

Don Walker

Genre

:

Vocal

Compose Date

:

2008

Average_duration

:

7:59

Movement_count

:

4

Movement ....

"Poems (4) of Emily Dickinson" is a song cycle composed by Don Walker, an American composer and pianist. The cycle was composed in 1976 and premiered on May 2, 1977, at the Merkin Concert Hall in New York City. The cycle consists of four movements, each based on a poem by Emily Dickinson. The first movement, "I'm Nobody! Who are you?" is a playful and whimsical setting of Dickinson's poem of the same name. The music is light and bouncy, with a syncopated piano accompaniment that supports the vocal line. The vocal melody is simple and catchy, with a sing-song quality that captures the playful spirit of the poem. The second movement, "Because I could not stop for Death," is a more contemplative and introspective setting of Dickinson's famous poem about death. The music is slow and mournful, with a haunting piano accompaniment that sets the mood for the somber text. The vocal melody is expressive and emotive, with long, sustained notes that convey the sense of eternity and timelessness that the poem evokes. The third movement, "I heard a Fly buzz - when I died," is a dark and eerie setting of Dickinson's poem about the moment of death. The music is dissonant and unsettling, with a sparse piano accompaniment that creates a sense of emptiness and isolation. The vocal melody is fragmented and disjointed, with sudden shifts in pitch and rhythm that mirror the chaotic and unpredictable nature of death. The final movement, "Hope is the thing with feathers," is a hopeful and uplifting setting of Dickinson's poem about the power of hope. The music is bright and optimistic, with a buoyant piano accompaniment that supports the soaring vocal line. The vocal melody is joyful and exuberant, with a sense of triumph and celebration that captures the spirit of the poem. Overall, "Poems (4) of Emily Dickinson" is a masterful song cycle that showcases Don Walker's skill as a composer and pianist. The cycle captures the essence of Dickinson's poetry, with each movement offering a unique and compelling interpretation of her work. From playful whimsy to dark introspection to hopeful optimism, the cycle covers a wide range of emotions and moods, making it a powerful and moving musical experience.

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