Composer

:

William Schuman

Genre

:

Choral

Compose Date

:

1942

First Performance

:

March 26, 1943

Average_duration

:

13:43

William Schuman's "A Free Song" is a choral symphony that was composed in 1942. It was premiered on January 8, 1943, by the Boston Symphony Orchestra and the Harvard Glee Club, conducted by Serge Koussevitzky. The work is divided into three movements and has a total duration of approximately 35 minutes. The first movement, marked "Moderato," begins with a somber and introspective introduction in the strings. The choir enters with a text by Walt Whitman, "A Song of Joys," which celebrates the beauty and diversity of the natural world. The music gradually builds in intensity, with the choir and orchestra trading off phrases and culminating in a powerful climax. The second movement, marked "Allegro," is a scherzo that features a lively and rhythmic theme in the strings. The choir enters with a text by Langston Hughes, "Freedom's Plow," which speaks to the struggle for freedom and equality. The music is energetic and propulsive, with the choir and orchestra engaging in a call-and-response dialogue. The final movement, marked "Adagio - Allegro molto," is the longest and most complex of the three. It begins with a mournful theme in the strings, which is then taken up by the choir with a text by John Donne, "A Hymn to God the Father." The music gradually builds in intensity, with the choir and orchestra engaging in a series of contrapuntal exchanges. The movement ends with a triumphant and exultant coda, featuring a reprise of the opening theme from the first movement. Overall, "A Free Song" is a powerful and moving work that celebrates the human spirit and the struggle for freedom and equality. Schuman's use of texts by Whitman, Hughes, and Donne adds depth and meaning to the music, and his skillful orchestration and choral writing create a rich and vibrant sonic tapestry.

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