Composer

:

William Bolcom

Genre

:

Vocal

Style

:

Song

Compose Date

:

1977 - 1996

Average_duration

:

44:59

Movement_count

:

24

Movement ....

Cabaret Songs is a song cycle composed by William Bolcom, an American composer, pianist, and professor of music. The cycle was composed in 1978 and premiered in the same year. It consists of 24 songs, divided into three movements, and is written for voice and piano. The first movement, titled "Blue," consists of eight songs that explore themes of love, loss, and longing. The songs are characterized by their bluesy harmonies and jazzy rhythms, which evoke the atmosphere of a smoky cabaret. The lyrics are often witty and ironic, and the vocal lines are highly expressive, requiring a skilled singer to convey the emotional depth of the music. The second movement, titled "Black," is more somber in tone and explores darker themes such as death, despair, and isolation. The songs are characterized by their dissonant harmonies and angular melodies, which create a sense of unease and tension. The lyrics are often surreal and dreamlike, and the vocal lines are highly virtuosic, requiring a singer with a wide range and strong technical ability. The third movement, titled "White," is more lighthearted in tone and explores themes of humor, satire, and social commentary. The songs are characterized by their playful melodies and witty lyrics, which often poke fun at societal norms and conventions. The vocal lines are highly rhythmic and require a singer with a strong sense of timing and comedic timing. Overall, Cabaret Songs is a highly expressive and versatile song cycle that showcases Bolcom's skill as a composer and his ability to evoke a wide range of emotions and moods through music. It has become a popular choice for singers and pianists alike, and continues to be performed and recorded to this day.

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