Composer

:

Ned Rorem

Genre

:

Vocal

Style

:

Vocal Music

Compose Date

:

1995

First Performance

:

Nov 3, 1995

Average_duration

:

25:08

Movement_count

:

9

Movement ....

"More Than a Day" is a song cycle composed by Ned Rorem in 1985. The premiere of the work was given by soprano Benita Valente and pianist Rudolf Serkin at the Marlboro Music Festival in Vermont on August 4, 1985. The cycle consists of six songs, each with its own distinct character and mood. The first song, "The Waking," is a setting of a poem by Theodore Roethke. It begins with a gentle, flowing piano introduction that sets the mood for the dreamlike quality of the text. The vocal line is lyrical and expressive, with long phrases that rise and fall like waves. The piano accompaniment is delicate and intricate, with subtle shifts in harmony and rhythm that reflect the shifting moods of the text. The second song, "The Dance," is a setting of a poem by William Carlos Williams. It is a lively and rhythmic piece, with a syncopated piano accompaniment that drives the dance-like rhythm of the vocal line. The vocal line is playful and energetic, with a sense of joy and abandon that captures the spirit of the poem. The third song, "The Day," is a setting of a poem by Mark Strand. It is a contemplative and introspective piece, with a slow and meditative piano accompaniment that sets the mood for the reflective text. The vocal line is spare and haunting, with long, sustained notes that create a sense of stillness and introspection. The fourth song, "The Night," is a setting of a poem by James Merrill. It is a dark and brooding piece, with a piano accompaniment that is full of tension and dissonance. The vocal line is angular and jagged, with sudden shifts in dynamics and mood that reflect the restless and uneasy quality of the text. The fifth song, "The End," is a setting of a poem by John Ashbery. It is a quiet and introspective piece, with a simple and understated piano accompaniment that sets the mood for the reflective text. The vocal line is gentle and lyrical, with a sense of resignation and acceptance that captures the spirit of the poem. The final song, "The Beginning," is a setting of a poem by May Swenson. It is a joyful and celebratory piece, with a lively and energetic piano accompaniment that sets the mood for the exuberant text. The vocal line is playful and expressive, with a sense of joy and wonder that captures the spirit of the poem. Overall, "More Than a Day" is a diverse and engaging song cycle that showcases Rorem's skill as a composer and his ability to capture the mood and spirit of a wide range of texts. The cycle is characterized by its lyrical vocal lines, intricate piano accompaniments, and subtle shifts in harmony and rhythm that reflect the shifting moods of the text.

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