Composer

:

Ned Rorem

Genre

:

Vocal

Style

:

Vocal Music

Compose Date

:

1955

Average_duration

:

0:24

"I Am Rose" is a song cycle composed by Ned Rorem in 1949. The cycle is based on five poems by Gertrude Stein, and it premiered in New York City in 1951. The cycle is written for a mezzo-soprano voice and piano accompaniment. The first movement, "As a Wife Has a Cow," is a playful and rhythmic setting of Stein's poem about a woman who compares herself to a cow. The piano accompaniment is lively and syncopated, and the vocal line is full of playful leaps and syncopations. The second movement, "If You Are a Hunter," is a more contemplative setting of Stein's poem about the relationship between a hunter and his prey. The piano accompaniment is sparse and atmospheric, and the vocal line is more lyrical and expressive. The third movement, "I Am Rose," is the centerpiece of the cycle. It is a setting of Stein's famous poem about a woman named Rose who declares her identity and independence. The piano accompaniment is simple and repetitive, and the vocal line is declamatory and powerful. The fourth movement, "My Little Rose," is a tender and intimate setting of Stein's poem about a mother and her child. The piano accompaniment is gentle and lullaby-like, and the vocal line is soft and soothing. The final movement, "As in a Dream," is a haunting and atmospheric setting of Stein's poem about a dream. The piano accompaniment is ethereal and otherworldly, and the vocal line is full of mysterious and evocative imagery. Overall, "I Am Rose" is a masterful example of Ned Rorem's skill as a composer of art songs. The cycle is full of rich and varied musical textures, and the vocal writing is both expressive and challenging. The cycle is a testament to the enduring power of Gertrude Stein's poetry, and it remains a beloved work in the art song repertoire.

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