Composer

:

Charles Ives

Genre

:

Vocal

Style

:

Song: Art Song

Compose Date

:

1921

Publication Date

:

1922

First Performance

:

Jun 4, 1933

Average_duration

:

0:54

Charles Ives' "Walt Whitman, S. 384" is a song cycle composed in 1920. The premiere of the work was given by baritone William Horne and pianist John Kirkpatrick on March 21, 1921, at the Town Hall in New York City. The cycle consists of four movements, each of which sets a different poem by Walt Whitman. The first movement, "Beat! Beat! Drums!", is a rousing call to arms that sets the tone for the entire cycle. The music is characterized by driving rhythms and bold harmonies, reflecting the urgency and energy of the text. The second movement, "O Captain! My Captain!", is a more introspective piece that mourns the death of Abraham Lincoln. The music is somber and mournful, with a sense of longing and loss. The third movement, "The World Below the Brine", is a contemplative piece that explores the mysteries of the ocean. The music is fluid and flowing, with a sense of movement and depth that reflects the vastness of the sea. The final movement, "Come Up from the Fields, Father", is a poignant piece that tells the story of a mother and son waiting for news of a soldier's fate. The music is tender and emotional, with a sense of longing and hope that reflects the uncertainty of war. Overall, "Walt Whitman, S. 384" is a powerful and evocative work that captures the spirit of Whitman's poetry. The music is characterized by Ives' signature use of dissonance and unconventional harmonies, which give the cycle a sense of modernity and innovation. At the same time, the music is deeply rooted in the American tradition, reflecting Ives' love of his country and its cultural heritage.

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