Composer

:

Ricky Ian Gordon

Genre

:

Vocal

Style

:

Vocal Music

First Performance

:

1992

Average_duration

:

2:46

"The Red Dress" is a song cycle composed by Ricky Ian Gordon, with lyrics by Dorothy Parker, Langston Hughes, and Edna St. Vincent Millay. The cycle premiered on March 6, 1999, at the 92nd Street Y in New York City, with soprano Renée Fleming and pianist Brian Zeger. The cycle consists of five movements, each with its own distinct character and mood. The first movement, "The Red Dress," is a lively and playful song about a woman who buys a red dress to impress her lover. The second movement, "The Satin Dress," is a more introspective and melancholy song about a woman who regrets her past choices. The third movement, "The Blue Dress," is a haunting and ethereal song about a woman who longs for a lost love. The fourth movement, "The Pink Dress," is a tender and romantic song about a woman who finds love in unexpected places. The final movement, "The Black Dress," is a mournful and elegiac song about a woman who has lost everything. The music of "The Red Dress" is characterized by its lush harmonies, soaring melodies, and evocative lyrics. Gordon's use of tonal language and traditional song forms gives the cycle a timeless quality, while his incorporation of jazz and blues elements adds a contemporary edge. The cycle is a showcase for the soprano voice, with Fleming's soaring vocals bringing the emotional depth and complexity of the lyrics to life. Overall, "The Red Dress" is a powerful and moving work that explores the many facets of love and loss. Its timeless themes and beautiful music have made it a beloved work in the repertoire of contemporary art song.

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