Composer

:

Terry Riley

Genre

:

Choral

Compose Date

:

1988

Average_duration

:

5:12

"Cry of a Lady" is a composition by American composer Terry Riley. It was composed in 1984 and premiered on October 26, 1985, at the Brooklyn Academy of Music in New York City. The piece is divided into three movements and is scored for string quartet and voice. The first movement, titled "Lament," begins with a mournful melody played by the viola. The other instruments gradually join in, creating a dense and dissonant texture. The voice enters, singing a text that Riley wrote himself. The text is a meditation on loss and grief, and the voice is used as an instrument, blending with the strings to create a haunting and otherworldly sound. The second movement, titled "Dance," is more upbeat and rhythmic. The strings play a lively melody, and the voice sings a text that celebrates life and joy. The movement is characterized by its driving rhythm and playful energy. The final movement, titled "Anthem," is a slow and meditative piece. The strings play a simple and repetitive melody, while the voice sings a text that reflects on the nature of existence and the human condition. The movement builds to a powerful climax, with the voice and strings coming together in a transcendent moment of beauty and awe. Overall, "Cry of a Lady" is a deeply emotional and spiritual work that explores themes of loss, joy, and transcendence. Riley's use of the voice as an instrument, combined with the rich and complex textures of the string quartet, creates a unique and powerful sound that is both haunting and uplifting.

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