Composer

:

Ricky Ian Gordon

Genre

:

Vocal

Style

:

Vocal Music

Average_duration

:

4:45

"Run Away" is a song cycle composed by Ricky Ian Gordon, premiered in 2001. The cycle consists of 14 songs, each with its own unique character and story. The songs are based on poems by various poets, including Langston Hughes, Dorothy Parker, and Emily Dickinson. The first movement, "Run Away," sets the tone for the cycle with a haunting melody and lyrics that speak to the desire to escape from the world. The second movement, "The Red Dress," is a playful and flirtatious song about a woman getting ready for a night out. The third movement, "The Lake Isle of Innisfree," is a setting of the famous poem by W.B. Yeats, with a gentle and contemplative melody. Other movements include "The Crazy Woman," a powerful and intense song about a woman who refuses to conform to societal norms, and "The House on the Hill," a haunting and melancholy song about a house that holds memories of lost love. The cycle ends with "The Dream Keeper," a hopeful and uplifting song about the power of dreams to inspire and guide us. Throughout the cycle, Gordon's music is characterized by its emotional depth and sensitivity to the text. His melodies are often simple and lyrical, allowing the words to take center stage. The piano accompaniment is also an integral part of the music, providing a rich and varied texture that supports and enhances the vocal line. Overall, "Run Away" is a powerful and moving song cycle that explores themes of love, loss, and the human desire for freedom and self-expression. Its premiere in 2001 was met with critical acclaim, and it has since become a beloved work in the contemporary art song repertoire.

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