Composer

:

Elliott Carter

Genre

:

Vocal

Style

:

Vocal Music

Compose Date

:

1978

Average_duration

:

19:23

Elliott Carter's "Syringa" is a song cycle for soprano and chamber ensemble, composed in 1978-1979. The work was premiered on May 6, 1979, at the Alice Tully Hall in New York City, with Jan DeGaetani as the soprano soloist and the Contemporary Chamber Ensemble conducted by Arthur Weisberg. The piece is divided into six movements, each based on a poem by John Ashbery. The movements are titled "First Movement," "Second Movement," and so on, up to "Sixth Movement." The poems are not set in their entirety, but rather are fragmented and reassembled by Carter to create a new poetic and musical structure. The music of "Syringa" is characterized by Carter's signature complex rhythms and harmonies, as well as his use of extended techniques and unconventional instrumental combinations. The ensemble consists of flute, clarinet, violin, cello, piano, and percussion, and each instrument is given a prominent role in the texture of the music. The first movement, "Laurel," sets the tone for the piece with its ethereal, floating textures and delicate vocal lines. The second movement, "My Grandmother's Love Letters," is more rhythmic and energetic, with the soprano singing fragmented phrases over a pulsing accompaniment. The third movement, "The Rose Family," is a playful and whimsical scherzo, with the instruments imitating the sounds of birds and insects. The fourth movement, "Syringa," is the centerpiece of the work, and features a hauntingly beautiful vocal line set against a shimmering, otherworldly instrumental backdrop. The fifth movement, "The Apricot," is a brief interlude, with the soprano singing a single, sustained note over a slowly shifting harmonic landscape. The final movement, "The New Higher," brings the work to a dramatic and powerful conclusion, with the soprano singing a series of fragmented phrases that gradually coalesce into a triumphant, soaring melody. The ensemble builds to a frenzied climax before abruptly cutting off, leaving the listener with a sense of unresolved tension. Overall, "Syringa" is a complex and challenging work that rewards careful listening and repeated engagement. Carter's innovative approach to text setting and his masterful handling of instrumental color and texture make this piece a landmark of contemporary music.

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