Composer

:

Virgil Thomson

Genre

:

Vocal

Style

:

Vocal Music

Compose Date

:

1963

Average_duration

:

4:26

Movement_count

:

2

Movement ....

"Two by Marianne Moore" is a musical composition by Virgil Thomson, an American composer, and music critic. The piece was composed in 1951 and premiered on January 15, 1952, at the Town Hall in New York City. The composition consists of two movements, each based on a poem by Marianne Moore, an American modernist poet. The first movement, titled "To a Snail," is a setting of Moore's poem of the same name. The music is characterized by a slow and deliberate tempo, with a simple and repetitive melody that mimics the slow movement of a snail. The vocal line is accompanied by a sparse and delicate piano accompaniment, which adds to the overall sense of stillness and contemplation. The second movement, titled "The Jerboa," is a setting of Moore's poem about a small desert rodent. The music is more lively and energetic than the first movement, with a faster tempo and a more complex and varied melody. The vocal line is accompanied by a more active and rhythmic piano accompaniment, which reflects the jerky movements of the jerboa. Overall, "Two by Marianne Moore" is a prime example of Thomson's unique style, which combines elements of classical music with American folk and popular music. The composition is characterized by its simplicity, clarity, and directness, which reflect Moore's own poetic style. The piece is also notable for its use of unconventional vocal techniques, such as sprechgesang (a style of singing that is closer to speaking than singing) and glissando (a sliding between notes), which add to the overall sense of playfulness and experimentation.

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