Composer

:

Ned Rorem

Genre

:

Vocal

Style

:

Vocal Music

Compose Date

:

1951

Average_duration

:

1:27

To a Young Girl is a song cycle composed by Ned Rorem in 1964. The premiere of the piece was given by soprano Phyllis Curtin and pianist John Wustman at the Library of Congress in Washington, D.C. on April 22, 1965. The cycle consists of five movements, each of which sets a poem by a different author. The first movement, "The Serpent," sets a poem by Theodore Roethke. It is a slow and haunting piece, with a chromatic melody that slithers like a snake. The piano accompaniment is sparse and eerie, with dissonant chords that create a sense of unease. The second movement, "The Nightingale," sets a poem by William Wordsworth. It is a lively and playful piece, with a bright and cheerful melody that imitates the bird's song. The piano accompaniment is light and delicate, with arpeggios that evoke the fluttering of wings. The third movement, "The Rose," sets a poem by Thomas Hood. It is a slow and romantic piece, with a lyrical melody that evokes the beauty and fragility of the flower. The piano accompaniment is lush and rich, with rolling chords that create a sense of depth and warmth. The fourth movement, "The Swallow," sets a poem by Christina Rossetti. It is a fast and energetic piece, with a lively melody that imitates the bird's flight. The piano accompaniment is busy and frenetic, with rapid arpeggios that create a sense of motion and excitement. The fifth and final movement, "The Dream," sets a poem by Edna St. Vincent Millay. It is a slow and introspective piece, with a melancholy melody that evokes the sadness and longing of the dreamer. The piano accompaniment is sparse and dreamlike, with gentle chords that create a sense of ethereal beauty. Overall, To a Young Girl is a beautiful and evocative song cycle that showcases Rorem's skill as a composer. The melodies are memorable and expressive, and the piano accompaniments are carefully crafted to enhance the mood and meaning of each poem.

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