Composer

:

Milton Babbitt

Genre

:

Vocal

Style

:

Monodrama

Compose Date

:

1964

Average_duration

:

18:40

Philomel for soprano and tape is a composition by Milton Babbitt, an American composer, music theorist, and teacher. The piece was composed in 1964 and premiered on May 14, 1964, at the Columbia-Princeton Electronic Music Center in New York City. The composition is divided into three movements, each of which is based on a different text. The first movement is based on a poem by John Hollander, the second on a text by the composer himself, and the third on a text by the ancient Greek poet Ovid. The first movement, titled "Prologue," sets the stage for the piece and introduces the soprano's voice. The soprano sings a series of fragmented phrases that are then manipulated and transformed by the electronic tape. The movement is characterized by its use of complex rhythms and intricate vocal lines that are often fragmented and disjunct. The second movement, titled "Act I," is a setting of a text by Babbitt himself. The soprano sings a series of fragmented phrases that are then manipulated and transformed by the electronic tape. The movement is characterized by its use of complex rhythms and intricate vocal lines that are often fragmented and disjunct. The third movement, titled "Act II," is a setting of a text by Ovid. The soprano sings a series of fragmented phrases that are then manipulated and transformed by the electronic tape. The movement is characterized by its use of complex rhythms and intricate vocal lines that are often fragmented and disjunct. Overall, Philomel for soprano and tape is a complex and challenging work that showcases Babbitt's mastery of electronic music and his innovative approach to composition. The piece is known for its intricate vocal lines, complex rhythms, and use of electronic manipulation to transform the soprano's voice.

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