Composer

:

George Crumb

Genre

:

Vocal

Style

:

Vocal Music

Compose Date

:

1984

Average_duration

:

5:14

George Crumb's "The Sleeper" is a composition for soprano, amplified piano, and percussion. It was composed in 1984 and premiered on October 26, 1984, at the University of Pennsylvania. The piece is divided into three movements, each of which is characterized by its unique musical language and use of extended techniques. The first movement, "Night Sounds," sets the stage for the piece with its eerie, atmospheric soundscape. The soprano sings fragmented phrases that are interspersed with the sounds of the piano and percussion, which are often played in unconventional ways. The percussionist uses a variety of instruments, including gongs, cymbals, and maracas, to create a sense of mystery and tension. The second movement, "She Dreams a Lovely Dream," is more lyrical and melodic than the first. The soprano sings a haunting melody that is accompanied by the piano, which is played with a variety of mallets and other objects to create a dreamlike atmosphere. The percussionist also plays a prominent role in this movement, using a variety of instruments to create a sense of movement and momentum. The final movement, "The Sleeper in the Valley," is based on a poem by Arthur Rimbaud. The soprano sings the text of the poem, which describes a soldier who has fallen asleep in a peaceful valley. The music is slow and mournful, with the piano and percussion providing a somber accompaniment to the soprano's voice. The percussionist uses a variety of instruments, including a rainstick and a water gong, to create a sense of the natural world that surrounds the sleeping soldier. Overall, "The Sleeper" is a haunting and evocative piece that showcases Crumb's unique musical language and use of extended techniques. The piece is characterized by its atmospheric soundscapes, unconventional instrumentation, and use of text to create a sense of narrative and emotion.

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