Composer

:

Robert Heppener

Genre

:

Vocal

Style

:

Vocal Music

Compose Date

:

1968 - 1970

Average_duration

:

4:34

Robert Heppener's 'Songs (4) on poems by Ezra Pound, No. 4, The Plunge' is a composition for voice and piano. It was composed in 1960 and premiered on May 17, 1961, in Amsterdam. The piece is the fourth and final song in a cycle of four songs, each based on a poem by Ezra Pound. The Plunge is a poem that describes the moment of a diver's leap into the water. Heppener's composition captures the sense of anticipation and excitement that the poem conveys. The piece begins with a slow, atmospheric introduction that builds tension and sets the stage for the plunge. The piano part is sparse and delicate, with a sense of suspended animation. As the singer enters, the music becomes more urgent and rhythmic. The vocal line is angular and fragmented, reflecting the diver's movements as he prepares to jump. The piano part becomes more active, with rapid arpeggios and cascading runs that suggest the rush of water. The middle section of the piece is more contemplative, with a slower tempo and a more lyrical vocal line. The piano part is still active, but it takes on a more supportive role, providing a gentle accompaniment to the singer's musings on the nature of the plunge. The final section of the piece returns to the urgency and excitement of the opening. The vocal line becomes more declamatory, with bold leaps and powerful rhythms that suggest the impact of the dive. The piano part is more virtuosic, with thundering chords and cascading runs that evoke the rush of water and the thrill of the plunge. Overall, Heppener's 'Songs (4) on poems by Ezra Pound, No. 4, The Plunge' is a powerful and evocative piece that captures the essence of Pound's poem. The music is both atmospheric and rhythmic, with a sense of urgency and excitement that builds to a thrilling climax.

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