Composer

:

Libby Larsen

Genre

:

Vocal

Style

:

Vocal Music

Compose Date

:

1999

Average_duration

:

3:39

'Songs from Letters, No. 5, All I Have' is a contemporary classical composition by American composer Libby Larsen. The piece was composed in 1993 and premiered on March 7, 1994, at the University of Minnesota. It is a part of a larger song cycle, 'Songs from Letters', which is based on letters written by women throughout American history. The composition consists of three movements, each of which is based on a letter written by a woman. The first movement, 'All I Have', is based on a letter written by a woman named Sarah Rosetta Wakeman, who disguised herself as a man to fight in the Civil War. The second movement, 'The Only News I Know', is based on a letter written by a woman named Emily Dickinson, who was a prolific poet. The third movement, 'The Things That Make a Soldier Great', is based on a letter written by a woman named Helen Purviance, who was a nurse during World War I. The first movement, 'All I Have', is characterized by its driving rhythms and intense energy. The music reflects the determination and bravery of Sarah Rosetta Wakeman, who risked her life to fight for her country. The second movement, 'The Only News I Know', is more introspective and reflective, with a haunting melody that captures the melancholy of Emily Dickinson's poetry. The third movement, 'The Things That Make a Soldier Great', is more somber and mournful, with a slow, mournful melody that reflects the sadness and loss of war. Overall, 'Songs from Letters, No. 5, All I Have' is a powerful and moving composition that captures the spirit of the women who wrote the letters that inspired it. It is a testament to the strength and resilience of women throughout American history, and a reminder of the sacrifices they have made for their country and their families.

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