The Voices of American Female Composers: A Study of Daughters by Lori Laitman and Love Sweet by Jennifer Higdon for Voice and Piano Trio

Abstract

Lori Laitman and Jennifer Higdon are esteemed American female composers in contemporary classical music. The two composers’ works include modern compositional techniques, such as unexpected harmonic progressions, unconventional structures, and the use of highly specific musical directions in areas such as dynamics and pedaling. Their works also contrast with each other in several ways: Laitman frequently changes meter to fit the natural flow of the text in vocal works, while Higdon uses different meters to delineate sections; Higdon’s textures tend to be thin compared to Laitman’s; and in creating their unique sound worlds, Laitman tends to focus more on harmonic complexity, while Higdon invests in extended techniques. This document provides an analysis of two works by these composers: Daughters by Laitman and Love Sweet by Higdon. The two compositions are selected for their unusual instrumentation of piano trio and female voice, putting into relief the similarities and differences between the two composers and the compositional tools each employs. This document offers detailed analyses of these works, with an emphasis on how they reflect a distinctly feminine context and perspective through stories of love and motherhood. The analysis focuses on recurring thematic material, text painting, structure, texture, and specific musical directions. This study thus provides context and insight for future performances of these works. The resulting comparison of these two composers’ vocal chamber works paves the way to a deeper understanding of their styles in a contemporary context.