Composer

:

Aaron Copland

Genre

:

Vocal

Style

:

Song Cycle

Compose Date

:

1949 - 1950

Average_duration

:

28:51

Movement_count

:

12

Movement ....

Aaron Copland's "Poems (12) of Emily Dickinson" is a song cycle composed in 1950. The premiere of the work was on January 27, 1951, at the Library of Congress in Washington, D.C. The cycle consists of twelve songs, each based on a poem by the American poet Emily Dickinson. The first movement, "Nature, the gentlest mother," is a gentle and flowing piece that sets the tone for the rest of the cycle. The second movement, "There came a wind like a bugle," is more dramatic and features a driving rhythm and soaring vocal lines. The third movement, "Why do they shut me out of heaven?" is a haunting and introspective piece that showcases Copland's skill at setting text to music. The fourth movement, "The world feels dusty," is a more lighthearted piece that features a playful melody and a bouncy rhythm. The fifth movement, "Heart, we will forget him," is a tender and melancholy piece that features a simple and beautiful melody. The sixth movement, "Dear March, come in!," is a lively and energetic piece that captures the excitement of spring. The seventh movement, "Sleep is supposed to be," is a dreamy and ethereal piece that features a delicate and haunting melody. The eighth movement, "When they come back," is a more dramatic and intense piece that features a driving rhythm and soaring vocal lines. The ninth movement, "I felt a funeral in my brain," is a dark and brooding piece that captures the sense of despair and hopelessness in Dickinson's poem. The tenth movement, "I've heard an organ talk sometimes," is a more experimental piece that features unusual harmonies and textures. The eleventh movement, "Going to heaven!," is a joyful and uplifting piece that features a soaring melody and a triumphant mood. The final movement, "The chariot," is a dramatic and powerful piece that features a driving rhythm and soaring vocal lines. Overall, "Poems (12) of Emily Dickinson" is a beautiful and moving work that showcases Copland's skill at setting text to music. The cycle captures the essence of Dickinson's poetry and brings it to life in a way that is both powerful and poignant.

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