Composer

:

Aaron Copland

Genre

:

Vocal

Style

:

Vocal Music

Compose Date

:

1927

Average_duration

:

1:48

Aaron Copland's "Poet's Song" is a choral work that was composed in 1953. It was premiered on May 7, 1953, by the New York Philharmonic under the direction of Leonard Bernstein. The piece is divided into three movements, each with its own unique characteristics. The first movement, "The Poet's Song," is a setting of a poem by Walt Whitman. It begins with a solo tenor singing the opening lines of the poem, "To the garden, the world, anew ascending, / Potent mates, daughters, sons, preluding." The choir then enters, singing in unison, before breaking into four-part harmony. The music is characterized by its flowing, lyrical melodies and lush harmonies. The second movement, "The Poet's Mind," is a setting of a poem by Emily Dickinson. It features a solo soprano singing the opening lines, "The Poet's mind is like the lark's wing." The choir then enters, singing in a hushed, ethereal tone. The music is characterized by its delicate, shimmering textures and subtle shifts in harmony. The final movement, "The Poet's Echo," is a setting of a poem by Federico Garcia Lorca. It features a solo baritone singing the opening lines, "I want to sleep the sleep of apples." The choir then enters, singing in a rhythmic, dance-like style. The music is characterized by its lively, syncopated rhythms and colorful harmonies. Overall, "Poet's Song" is a beautiful and evocative work that showcases Copland's skill as a composer of choral music. Its lush harmonies, flowing melodies, and subtle shifts in texture and harmony make it a timeless masterpiece of the choral repertoire.

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