Composer

:

Libby Larsen

Genre

:

Vocal

Style

:

Vocal Music

Compose Date

:

1999

Average_duration

:

3:49

'Songs from Letters, No. 4, A Working Woman' is a song cycle composed by Libby Larsen in 1993. The cycle was premiered on March 7, 1993, at the University of Minnesota by mezzo-soprano Adriana Zabala and pianist Timothy Lovelace. The cycle consists of five movements, each based on a letter written by a working woman in the late 19th or early 20th century. The first movement, "Dear Mrs. Roosevelt," is based on a letter written by a woman who worked in a factory during World War II. The movement is characterized by a driving rhythm and a sense of urgency, reflecting the woman's desire to contribute to the war effort. The second movement, "Dear Miss Breed," is based on a letter written by a Japanese-American woman who was interned during World War II. The movement is characterized by a haunting melody and a sense of sadness, reflecting the woman's feelings of isolation and despair. The third movement, "Dear Mrs. Griggs," is based on a letter written by a woman who worked as a domestic servant in the early 20th century. The movement is characterized by a lilting melody and a sense of nostalgia, reflecting the woman's memories of her childhood home. The fourth movement, "Dear Mrs. Parks," is based on a letter written by a woman who participated in the Montgomery Bus Boycott in 1955. The movement is characterized by a sense of determination and defiance, reflecting the woman's commitment to the civil rights movement. The final movement, "Dear Miss Breedlove," is based on a letter written by a woman who started her own business in the early 20th century. The movement is characterized by a sense of triumph and celebration, reflecting the woman's success in overcoming the obstacles she faced as a female entrepreneur. Overall, 'Songs from Letters, No. 4, A Working Woman' is a powerful and moving tribute to the struggles and triumphs of working women throughout history. Larsen's music captures the essence of each woman's story, bringing their voices to life in a way that is both poignant and inspiring.

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