Composer

:

Lori Laitman

Genre

:

Vocal

Compose Date

:

2004

First Performance

:

February 14, 2005

Average_duration

:

4:30

"On a Photograph..." is a song cycle composed by Lori Laitman, an American composer known for her vocal music. The cycle was composed in 2006 and premiered on March 4, 2007, at the National Museum of Women in the Arts in Washington, D.C. The cycle consists of six movements, each based on a different photograph. The first movement, "The Girl in the Window," is based on a photograph taken by Diane Arbus. The music is haunting and introspective, reflecting the loneliness and isolation of the girl in the photograph. The second movement, "The Migrant Mother," is based on a photograph taken by Dorothea Lange during the Great Depression. The music is somber and reflective, capturing the desperation and hardship of the mother and her children. The third movement, "The Afghan Girl," is based on a photograph taken by Steve McCurry during the Afghan-Soviet War. The music is exotic and mysterious, reflecting the beauty and resilience of the Afghan people. The fourth movement, "The Falling Man," is based on a photograph taken by Richard Drew during the 9/11 attacks. The music is intense and dramatic, capturing the horror and tragedy of the event. The fifth movement, "The V-J Day Kiss," is based on a photograph taken by Alfred Eisenstaedt at the end of World War II. The music is joyful and celebratory, capturing the excitement and relief of the soldiers and civilians. The final movement, "The Tank Man," is based on a photograph taken by Jeff Widener during the Tiananmen Square protests. The music is powerful and defiant, reflecting the bravery and determination of the man who stood in front of the tank. Overall, "On a Photograph..." is a powerful and moving cycle that captures the essence of each photograph and the emotions they evoke. Laitman's music is sensitive and evocative, bringing each photograph to life and allowing the listener to experience the stories behind them.

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