Composer

:

Libby Larsen

Genre

:

Vocal

Style

:

Vocal Music

Compose Date

:

1989

Average_duration

:

13:34

Movement_count

:

5

Movement ....

'Songs from Letters: Calamity Jane to her daughter Janey, 1880-1902' is a song cycle composed by Libby Larsen. The cycle was composed in 1991 and premiered on March 8, 1992, at the Ordway Music Theatre in St. Paul, Minnesota. The cycle consists of six movements, each based on a letter written by Calamity Jane to her daughter Janey between 1880 and 1902. The first movement, "Dear Janey," is a tender lullaby in which Calamity Jane expresses her love for her daughter and her desire to protect her from the harsh realities of life. The second movement, "The Wild West Show," is a lively and upbeat song in which Calamity Jane describes her experiences performing in Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show. The third movement, "The Train Robbery," is a dramatic and intense song in which Calamity Jane recounts her involvement in a train robbery. The fourth movement, "The Flood," is a haunting and melancholy song in which Calamity Jane describes the devastation caused by a flood in Deadwood, South Dakota. The fifth movement, "The Last Letter," is a poignant and emotional song in which Calamity Jane reflects on her life and her relationship with her daughter. The final movement, "Goodbye," is a bittersweet farewell in which Calamity Jane says goodbye to her daughter and expresses her hope that they will be reunited in the afterlife. Overall, 'Songs from Letters: Calamity Jane to her daughter Janey, 1880-1902' is a powerful and moving song cycle that captures the spirit of the American West and the complex emotions of a mother-daughter relationship. The music is characterized by a blend of traditional Western and contemporary styles, and the lyrics are based on actual letters written by Calamity Jane, adding an element of historical authenticity to the work.

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