Libby Larsen (b.1950) is one of America’s most performed living composers. Known for a musical style filled with energy, optimism, rhythmic diversity, liberated tonality without harsh dissonance, and pervading lyricism, Ms. Larsen has written more than 500 works in virtually every genre, from intimate works for solo voice and chamber choir, to large symphonies and operas.
The Settling Years is a brilliant example of Larsen’s style and is written for choir, woodwind quintet and piano. Composed in 1988, this 3-movement work is based on Three Pioneer Texts—poems that reflect the rugged beauty of both the people and mountains of the West. After beginning with swashbuckling cowboys “Comin’ to paint the town red,” we then move on to Vesta Crawford’s profound reflection on how “the courage of the mountains has bound me to this place.” The work then concludes with a rousing “Hoopla!”, a barn dance for the entire community. The Settling Years is both an exciting and thoughtfully moving work that our Colorado audience will greatly enjoy.
ChoralSong of Colorado Springs will be performing The Settling Years as part of our grand finale concert, Northern Lights and Summer Nights, on May 7th at Broadmoor Community Church, 7pm. We perform this piece to help celebrate Ms. Larsen’s 2024 election into The American Academy of Arts & Letters! As usual, this will be a concert you certainly do not want to miss. You can purchase your tickets at https://www.choralsong.org/concerts/ We hope to see you there!
