Composer

:

David Lang

Genre

:

Choral

Compose Date

:

2014

Average_duration

:

21:32

Movement_count

:

5

Movement ....

David Lang's "The National Anthems" is a contemporary classical composition that premiered on October 4, 2013, at the Walt Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles. The piece is divided into four movements, each exploring a different aspect of national identity and patriotism. The first movement, "I Lie," features a solo soprano singing a text that describes the lies that people tell themselves and others in order to maintain a sense of national pride. The music is sparse and haunting, with the soprano's voice floating above a bed of sustained strings. The second movement, "Our Constitution," is a choral piece that sets text from the United States Constitution to music. The music is celebratory and optimistic, with the choir singing in unison and harmony to create a sense of unity and purpose. The third movement, "The House of the Future," is a duet for soprano and baritone that explores the idea of the American Dream. The text describes a futuristic house that is filled with all the latest technology and conveniences, but the music is melancholy and introspective, suggesting that the dream may be more elusive than we realize. The final movement, "The National Anthem," is a reimagining of the Star-Spangled Banner. The music is slow and mournful, with the choir singing the text in a hushed, reverent tone. The piece ends with a solo trumpet playing a haunting melody that fades away into silence. Overall, "The National Anthems" is a thought-provoking and emotionally powerful work that challenges our assumptions about patriotism and national identity. The music is spare and minimalist, with Lang using simple melodies and harmonies to create a sense of intimacy and vulnerability. The text is also a key element of the piece, with Lang using words from the Constitution and other sources to explore the complex and often contradictory nature of American identity.

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