Composer

:

Leonard Bernstein

Genre

:

Vocal

Style

:

Vocal Music

Compose Date

:

1977

First Performance

:

1977

Average_duration

:

41:37

Movement_count

:

12

Movement ....

Songfest is a choral work composed by Leonard Bernstein in 1977. It was commissioned by the city of Los Angeles to celebrate the United States Bicentennial. The piece premiered on April 14, 1977, at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion in Los Angeles, conducted by the composer himself. Songfest is a cycle of eleven songs, each based on a different American poet. The poets include Walt Whitman, Langston Hughes, Edna St. Vincent Millay, and e.e. cummings, among others. The songs are performed by six soloists and a chorus, accompanied by a large orchestra. The first movement, "To the Poem," is a setting of a poem by Frank O'Hara. It is a lively and rhythmic piece that sets the tone for the rest of the work. The second movement, "The Pennycandystore Beyond the El," is a nostalgic and wistful setting of a poem by Lawrence Ferlinghetti. The third movement, "A Julia de Burgos," is a passionate and fiery setting of a poem by Julia de Burgos. The fourth movement, "To What You Said," is a haunting and introspective setting of a poem by Walt Whitman. The fifth movement, "I, Too, Sing America," is a joyful and celebratory setting of a poem by Langston Hughes. The sixth movement, "Zizi's Lament," is a mournful and melancholy setting of a poem by Gregory Corso. The seventh movement, "What Lips My Lips Have Kissed," is a sensual and romantic setting of a poem by Edna St. Vincent Millay. The eighth movement, "Israfel," is a mystical and otherworldly setting of a poem by Edgar Allan Poe. The ninth movement, "To My Dear and Loving Husband," is a tender and loving setting of a poem by Anne Bradstreet. The tenth movement, "Storyette H.M.," is a humorous and playful setting of a poem by Gertrude Stein. The final movement, "If You Can't Eat You Got to," is a rousing and energetic setting of a poem by e.e. cummings. Overall, Songfest is a celebration of American poetry and music. Bernstein's music is eclectic and draws on a variety of styles, including jazz, blues, and classical music. The soloists and chorus are given ample opportunity to showcase their talents, and the orchestra provides a rich and colorful accompaniment. The work is a testament to Bernstein's skill as a composer and his love for American culture.

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