Composer

:

Thomas Adès

Genre

:

Vocal

Style

:

Song: Art Song

Compose Date

:

1993

First Performance

:

Oct 17, 1993

Average_duration

:

8:46

Life Story, Op. 8 is a song cycle composed by Thomas Adès in 1993. The work was premiered on October 22, 1993, at the Wigmore Hall in London, with the composer himself accompanying the soprano, Claire Booth. The cycle consists of five movements, each of which sets a poem by Tennessee Williams. The first movement, "Long Time Ago," is a nostalgic reflection on the past, with the soprano singing a simple melody over a gently undulating accompaniment. The second movement, "Strings in the Earth and Air," is more lively, with a playful melody and a syncopated accompaniment that evokes the sound of a guitar. The third movement, "The Monk and His Cat," is a setting of a poem by W.B. Yeats, and features a haunting melody that is sung in unison by the soprano and piano. The fourth movement, "I Rise from Dreams of Thee," is a passionate love song, with the soprano singing a soaring melody over a richly harmonized accompaniment. The final movement, "Green," is a setting of a poem by Williams that celebrates the beauty of nature. The music is lush and evocative, with the soprano singing long, flowing lines over a shimmering piano accompaniment. Overall, Life Story, Op. 8 is a work of great beauty and emotional depth. Adès' music is highly expressive, with a keen sense of melody and harmony that perfectly captures the mood and meaning of the poems. The cycle is a testament to Adès' skill as a composer, and remains a beloved work in the repertoire of contemporary art song.

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