Composer

:

Jennifer Higdon

Genre

:

Vocal

Average_duration

:

7:05

'Lilacs' is a choral work composed by Jennifer Higdon in 2011. It was premiered on May 13, 2011, by the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra and Chorus, conducted by Robert Spano. The piece is divided into three movements, each of which is based on a poem by Walt Whitman. The first movement, titled "When Lilacs Last in the Dooryard Bloom'd," is a setting of Whitman's elegy for President Abraham Lincoln. The movement begins with a mournful, somber tone, with the choir singing softly and slowly. As the movement progresses, the music becomes more intense and emotional, with the choir singing with greater force and passion. The second movement, "Whispers of Heavenly Death," is a setting of a poem that explores the themes of death and the afterlife. The movement is characterized by its ethereal, otherworldly quality, with the choir singing in a hushed, almost whisper-like tone. The music is haunting and evocative, with the choir's voices blending together in a seamless, otherworldly harmony. The final movement, "Joy, Shipmate, Joy!" is a celebration of life and the human spirit. The movement is characterized by its exuberant, joyful tone, with the choir singing with great energy and enthusiasm. The music is lively and rhythmic, with the choir's voices rising and falling in a joyful, celebratory dance. Overall, 'Lilacs' is a powerful and moving work that showcases Jennifer Higdon's skill as a composer. The piece is characterized by its emotional depth, its evocative use of text, and its masterful handling of choral textures and harmonies. It is a testament to the enduring power of Walt Whitman's poetry, and a fitting tribute to the human spirit.

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