Composer

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Aaron Copland

Genre

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Keyboard

Style

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Character Piece

Compose Date

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1918 - 1920

Aaron Copland's 'Sonnets (3)' is a song cycle composed in 1949 for voice and piano. The premiere of the work took place on March 6, 1950, at the Town Hall in New York City, with the composer himself at the piano and the tenor soloist William Horne. The cycle consists of three movements, each setting a different sonnet by the American poet Emily Dickinson. The first movement, "Nature, the gentlest mother," is a serene and lyrical setting of a poem that celebrates the beauty and nurturing power of nature. The second movement, "There came a wind like a bugle," is a more dramatic and intense piece that evokes the sound and fury of a storm. The final movement, "Why do they shut me out of heaven," is a poignant and introspective setting of a poem that reflects on the speaker's sense of isolation and longing for spiritual transcendence. Copland's music in 'Sonnets (3)' is characterized by his signature style of American modernism, which blends elements of folk music, jazz, and classical traditions. The piano accompaniment is spare and evocative, with simple harmonies and delicate textures that support the vocal line without overpowering it. The vocal melodies are expressive and lyrical, with long, flowing phrases that capture the emotional depth and complexity of Dickinson's poetry. Overall, 'Sonnets (3)' is a beautiful and moving work that showcases Copland's skill as a composer and his deep appreciation for the power of poetry and music to convey the human experience.

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