Composer

:

John Harbison

Genre

:

Vocal

Style

:

Vocal Music

Compose Date

:

2001

Average_duration

:

19:14

Movement_count

:

6

Movement ....

"North and South: Six Poems of Elizabeth Bishop" is a song cycle composed by John Harbison in 2002. The premiere of the work was given by soprano Dawn Upshaw and pianist Gilbert Kalish at the Tanglewood Music Festival in Lenox, Massachusetts on August 4, 2002. The cycle consists of six songs, each based on a poem by Elizabeth Bishop. The first song, "The Moose," is a narrative poem that describes a bus trip through rural Nova Scotia and the sighting of a moose. Harbison's setting captures the sense of wonder and awe in the poem, with the piano evoking the sound of the bus and the voice of the soprano conveying the excitement of the passengers. The second song, "View of the Capitol from the Library of Congress," is a contemplative poem that reflects on the contrast between the grandeur of the Capitol building and the quiet solitude of the library. Harbison's setting is introspective, with the piano providing a gentle accompaniment to the soprano's meditative musings. The third song, "Insomnia," is a haunting poem that describes the experience of sleeplessness. Harbison's setting is eerie and unsettling, with the piano providing a dissonant and restless accompaniment to the soprano's anxious musings. The fourth song, "Cape Breton," is a nostalgic poem that reflects on the beauty of the Canadian landscape. Harbison's setting is lyrical and evocative, with the piano providing a lush and romantic accompaniment to the soprano's wistful musings. The fifth song, "The Sandpiper," is a whimsical poem that describes the antics of a bird on the beach. Harbison's setting is playful and lighthearted, with the piano providing a jaunty accompaniment to the soprano's cheerful musings. The final song, "At the Fishhouses," is a contemplative poem that reflects on the harsh realities of life in a fishing village. Harbison's setting is somber and reflective, with the piano providing a mournful accompaniment to the soprano's melancholy musings. Overall, "North and South: Six Poems of Elizabeth Bishop" is a masterful setting of Bishop's poetry, with Harbison's music capturing the essence of each poem and enhancing its emotional impact. The cycle is a testament to the enduring power of Bishop's poetry and the skill of Harbison as a composer.

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