Composer

:

Jake Heggie

Genre

:

Vocal

Compose Date

:

2008

Average_duration

:

11:19

Movement_count

:

4

Movement ....

Friendly Persuasions: Homage to Poulenc is a song cycle composed by Jake Heggie in 1998. The work was premiered on October 18, 1998, at the Herbst Theatre in San Francisco, California, by mezzo-soprano Frederica von Stade, baritone Zheng Cao, and pianist Jake Heggie. The song cycle consists of eight movements, each setting a poem by a different poet. The poems are in English, French, and Spanish, and the music reflects the different languages and cultures. The first movement, "To His Music," sets a poem by Robert Herrick and is a lively and rhythmic tribute to Poulenc's music. The second movement, "The Caravan," sets a poem by Federico García Lorca and is a haunting and atmospheric evocation of the Spanish landscape. The third movement, "The Window," sets a poem by James Merrill and is a delicate and introspective meditation on memory and loss. The fourth movement, "The Voice," sets a poem by Thomas Hardy and is a dramatic and passionate expression of love and longing. The fifth movement, "The Telegram," sets a poem by Amy Lowell and is a witty and ironic commentary on modern communication. The sixth movement, "The Fountain," sets a poem by Sara Teasdale and is a lush and romantic celebration of nature. The seventh movement, "The Park," sets a poem by Oscar Wilde and is a playful and whimsical portrait of a park in Paris. The final movement, "To His Music," sets a poem by Paul Verlaine and is a reprise of the opening movement, bringing the cycle full circle. The music of Friendly Persuasions: Homage to Poulenc is characterized by its lyrical melodies, colorful harmonies, and rhythmic vitality. Heggie's writing for the voice is sensitive and expressive, and his piano accompaniments are virtuosic and imaginative. The work is a tribute to the music of Francis Poulenc, one of Heggie's favorite composers, and reflects his admiration for Poulenc's wit, charm, and emotional depth. Overall, Friendly Persuasions: Homage to Poulenc is a beautiful and engaging song cycle that showcases Heggie's talent as a composer and his love for the art of song. Its premiere was a great success, and it has since become a popular work in the repertoire of many singers and pianists.

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