Composer

:

Don Walker

Genre

:

Vocal

Style

:

Vocal Music

Compose Date

:

1964

First Performance

:

1965

Average_duration

:

6:51

Movement_count

:

3

Movement ....

Benjamin Franklin Songs is a song cycle composed by Don Walker, an American composer and pianist. The cycle was composed in 1975 and premiered on October 26, 1975, at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. The cycle consists of six movements, each of which is based on a different text written by Benjamin Franklin. The first movement, titled "The Whistle," is a playful and lighthearted song that tells the story of a young Franklin who trades away a valuable possession for a whistle, only to realize the folly of his decision. The second movement, "The Elysian Fields," is a more contemplative piece that reflects on the afterlife and the possibility of an eternal paradise. The third movement, "The Busy Body," is a humorous and satirical song that pokes fun at gossip and busybodies. The fourth movement, "The Way to Wealth," is a more serious and didactic piece that offers advice on how to achieve financial success and personal happiness. The fifth movement, "The Art of Procuring Pleasant Dreams," is a dreamy and ethereal song that explores the nature of sleep and dreams. The final movement, "The Drinker's Dictionary," is a witty and irreverent song that lists humorous definitions of various drinking-related terms. Overall, the Benjamin Franklin Songs cycle is characterized by its eclectic mix of musical styles, ranging from playful and lighthearted to contemplative and serious. The cycle also showcases Walker's skill as a composer, with each movement featuring unique and inventive musical arrangements that bring Franklin's words to life.

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