Composer

:

John Kander

Genre

:

Vocal

Style

:

Song: Art Song

Average_duration

:

7:32

"A Letter from Sullivan Ballou" is a musical composition by John Kander, which was premiered on May 29, 1994, at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. The piece is a setting of a letter written by Sullivan Ballou, a Union soldier who died in the American Civil War. The letter was written to his wife Sarah, just before the First Battle of Bull Run, and is considered one of the most moving and eloquent expressions of love and devotion in American literature. The composition is divided into three movements, each of which reflects a different aspect of the letter. The first movement, "My very dear Sarah," is a tender and intimate setting of the opening lines of the letter, in which Ballou expresses his love and devotion to his wife. The music is gentle and lyrical, with a simple piano accompaniment that supports the soaring melody. The second movement, "The memories of the blissful moments I have spent with you," is a more complex and dramatic setting of the middle section of the letter, in which Ballou reflects on the joys and sorrows of his life with Sarah. The music is more intense and passionate, with a driving rhythm and soaring vocal lines that convey the depth of Ballou's emotions. The final movement, "If I do not return," is a haunting and poignant setting of the closing lines of the letter, in which Ballou expresses his fears and hopes for the future. The music is spare and mournful, with a simple piano accompaniment that underscores the poignancy of the text. Overall, "A Letter from Sullivan Ballou" is a deeply moving and powerful composition that captures the essence of one of the most poignant and eloquent expressions of love and devotion in American literature. Kander's music is sensitive and expressive, and perfectly complements the beauty and power of Ballou's words.

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