Composer

:

Lee Hoiby

Genre

:

Vocal

Style

:

Vocal Music

Compose Date

:

1952

Average_duration

:

1:11

"An Immorality" is a song cycle composed by Lee Hoiby in 1964. The premiere of the work was given by soprano Phyllis Curtin and pianist John Wustman at the Library of Congress in Washington, D.C. on May 6, 1964. The cycle consists of six songs, each of which sets a poem by the American poet e.e. cummings. The first song, "in Just-", is a playful and whimsical setting of cummings' poem about the arrival of spring. The second song, "O sweet spontaneous", is a more contemplative piece that explores the beauty of nature and the fleeting nature of life. The third song, "when faces called flowers float out of the ground", is a haunting and ethereal setting of a poem that explores the idea of death and rebirth. The fourth song, "if everything happens that can't be done", is a lively and energetic setting of a poem that celebrates the power of love and the joy of living. The fifth song, "since feeling is first", is a passionate and intense setting of a poem that explores the importance of emotion and sensation in human experience. The final song, "anyone lived in a pretty how town", is a poignant and bittersweet setting of a poem that explores the themes of love, loss, and the passage of time. Throughout the cycle, Hoiby's music is characterized by its lyrical melodies, rich harmonies, and sensitive treatment of the text. He uses a variety of musical techniques to bring out the meaning and emotion of the poems, including word painting, rhythmic variation, and dynamic contrast. The result is a cycle that is both musically engaging and emotionally powerful, and that captures the essence of cummings' poetry in a way that is both faithful and original.

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