Composer

:

Lori Laitman

Genre

:

Vocal

Style

:

Vocal Music

Compose Date

:

2004

Average_duration

:

3:45

Lori Laitman's "The Apple Orchard" is a song cycle composed in 2001 for soprano and piano. The work was premiered on April 28, 2002, at the National Museum of Women in the Arts in Washington, D.C. The cycle consists of six movements, each based on a poem by a different female poet. The first movement, "The Apple Orchard," is based on a poem by Jane Kenyon. It is a nostalgic and wistful reflection on the passing of time and the beauty of nature. The second movement, "The Orchard," is based on a poem by Edna St. Vincent Millay. It is a sensual and passionate celebration of love and desire. The third movement, "The Apple Trees at Olema," is based on a poem by Robert Hass. It is a contemplative and introspective meditation on the passage of time and the inevitability of death. The fourth movement, "The Apple Orchard," is based on a poem by Mary Oliver. It is a joyful and exuberant celebration of the beauty and abundance of nature. The fifth movement, "The Apple Orchard," is based on a poem by Gerald Stern. It is a poignant and bittersweet reflection on the passing of time and the loss of loved ones. The final movement, "The Apple Orchard," is based on a poem by Sharon Olds. It is a powerful and emotional exploration of the complexities of family relationships and the bonds that tie us together. Throughout the cycle, Laitman's music is characterized by its sensitivity to the text and its ability to capture the emotional nuances of each poem. Her use of melody, harmony, and rhythm is subtle and understated, allowing the words to take center stage. The result is a work of great beauty and depth, one that speaks to the universal themes of love, loss, and the passage of time.

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