Composer

:

Fred Lerdahl

Genre

:

Vocal

Style

:

Vocal Music

Compose Date

:

1967

Average_duration

:

15:46

Wake for soprano & chamber ensemble is a contemporary classical composition by American composer Fred Lerdahl. The piece was composed in 2013 and premiered on March 7, 2014, at the Miller Theatre in New York City. The composition consists of four movements, each with its own distinct character and mood. The first movement, titled "Awakening," begins with a slow, mournful melody played by the ensemble. The soprano enters with a haunting vocal line, singing of a dreamlike state between life and death. The movement builds to a climax before fading away into silence. The second movement, "Lament," is a mournful aria for the soprano. The ensemble provides a somber accompaniment, with dissonant harmonies and sparse textures. The soprano sings of loss and grief, with a sense of longing and despair. The third movement, "Dance," is a lively and rhythmic section, with a playful melody and syncopated rhythms. The soprano sings of a joyous celebration of life, with a sense of energy and vitality. The ensemble provides a lively accompaniment, with intricate interplay between the instruments. The final movement, "Epilogue," is a quiet and introspective section, with a gentle melody played by the ensemble. The soprano sings of acceptance and peace, with a sense of resignation and calm. The movement ends with a quiet, contemplative coda. Overall, Wake for soprano & chamber ensemble is a powerful and emotional work, with a sense of depth and complexity. Lerdahl's use of dissonant harmonies and intricate textures creates a sense of tension and drama, while the soprano's expressive vocal lines convey a range of emotions, from despair to joy to acceptance. The piece is a testament to Lerdahl's skill as a composer and his ability to create music that is both challenging and deeply moving.

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