Composer

:

Luciano Berio

Genre

:

Chamber

Style

:

Open Form

Compose Date

:

1983

Average_duration

:

4:34

Luciano Berio's 'Lied' is a composition for solo voice and orchestra, composed in 1983. The piece was premiered on October 22, 1983, by the soprano Cathy Berberian and the Orchestra della RAI di Roma, conducted by the composer himself. The composition consists of five movements, each of which is based on a different text. The first movement, 'O King', is a tribute to Martin Luther King Jr. and features a text by the composer. The second movement, 'Ode to Gravity', is based on a poem by the American poet Richard Wilbur. The third movement, 'Luftklavier', is a setting of a poem by Paul Celan, which explores the theme of memory and loss. The fourth movement, 'Aria', is a setting of a text by the Italian poet Edoardo Sanguineti, which explores the theme of love and desire. The final movement, 'Cries of London', is a setting of a traditional English street cry. The characteristics of 'Lied' are typical of Berio's style, which is characterized by a fascination with the human voice and a desire to explore the boundaries of musical expression. The piece is highly virtuosic, both for the soloist and the orchestra, and features a wide range of vocal techniques, including sprechgesang, whispering, and extended vocal techniques. The orchestration is also highly varied, with Berio using a wide range of instruments and textures to create a rich and complex sound world. Overall, 'Lied' is a highly expressive and emotionally charged work, which showcases Berio's mastery of both vocal and orchestral writing. It is a testament to his ability to push the boundaries of musical expression and create works that are both intellectually stimulating and emotionally engaging.

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