Composer

:

Salvatore Sciarrino

Genre

:

Vocal

Style

:

Suite

Average_duration

:

43:21

The Aspern Suite for soprano voice and ensemble is a composition by Italian composer Salvatore Sciarrino. It was composed in 1985 and premiered in Venice the same year. The piece is divided into three movements, each with its own distinct characteristics. The first movement, titled "The Aspern Papers," is a setting of text from Henry James' novella of the same name. The music is characterized by its sparse, delicate textures, with the soprano voice floating above a bed of shimmering strings and woodwinds. The vocal line is often fragmented, with the soprano singing short phrases that are repeated and developed by the ensemble. The second movement, "The Black Lace Fan," is based on a poem by Charles Baudelaire. The music is more agitated and frenetic than the first movement, with the ensemble creating a swirling, disorienting texture that contrasts with the soprano's more lyrical vocal line. The text is sung in French, adding to the sense of exoticism and mystery. The final movement, "The Figure in the Carpet," is based on a short story by Henry James. The music is characterized by its slow, meditative pace, with the soprano singing long, sustained notes that are punctuated by the ensemble's sparse, atmospheric textures. The overall effect is one of introspection and contemplation, as if the listener is being drawn into the inner world of the protagonist. Overall, the Aspern Suite is a haunting and evocative work that showcases Sciarrino's mastery of texture and atmosphere. The sparse, delicate textures of the first movement give way to the frenetic energy of the second, before settling into the introspective mood of the final movement. The soprano voice is used sparingly but effectively, adding a sense of intimacy and vulnerability to the music.

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