Composer

:

Ned Rorem

Genre

:

Vocal

Style

:

Vocal Music

Compose Date

:

1972

Average_duration

:

1:43

Ned Rorem's "The Serpent" is a song cycle for soprano and piano, composed in 1968. The work was premiered on March 10, 1969, at the 92nd Street Y in New York City, with soprano Phyllis Bryn-Julson and pianist Gilbert Kalish. The cycle consists of six movements, each based on a poem by Rainer Maria Rilke. The first movement, "The Serpent," sets a text about a snake shedding its skin and becoming something new. The second movement, "The Gazelle," is a delicate and lyrical setting of a poem about a graceful animal. The third movement, "The Panther," is a dramatic and intense setting of a poem about a caged animal. The fourth movement, "The Swan," is a serene and beautiful setting of a poem about a bird floating on a lake. The fifth movement, "The Dove," is a gentle and peaceful setting of a poem about a bird flying through the air. The final movement, "The Phoenix," is a triumphant and soaring setting of a poem about a mythical bird rising from the ashes. Rorem's music in "The Serpent" is characterized by its sensitivity to the text and its expressive use of harmony and melody. The piano writing is often virtuosic, with rapid runs and arpeggios, while the vocal line is lyrical and expressive. Rorem's use of tonality is often ambiguous, with frequent modulations and chromaticism, giving the music a sense of fluidity and unpredictability. Overall, "The Serpent" is a powerful and evocative work that showcases Rorem's skill as a composer and his sensitivity to poetry. Its six movements offer a range of moods and emotions, from the intense drama of "The Panther" to the serene beauty of "The Swan," making it a compelling and rewarding work for both performers and listeners.

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