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Cantaloupe Music

note to a friend

$21.99

Details

Composer
David Lang
Artist
Theo Bleckmann, Attacca Quartet
Format
CD
Label
Cantaloupe Music
Released
Mar 20, 2026
Catalog #
CA21216
UPC
713746321628

About

Commissioned by the Japan Society in New York and the Tokyo Bunka Kaikan center in Japan, David Lang's note to a friend is inspired by the famous letter written by short story author Ryunosuke Akutagawa to a fellow writer, announcing his intention to take his own life. Conceived as a chamber opera for solo vocalist and string quartet, the work is also the perfect vehicle for singer Theo Blackmann, who brings a profound emotional weight to his performance, in collaboration with the inimitable Attacca string quartet. Content warning: This recording contains references to suicide and depression, which some listeners may find distressing. If you need suicide- or mental health-related crisis support, or are worried about someone else, please call or text 988 or visit the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline's chat to connect with a trained crisis counselor.

Tracklist 9 tracks

  1. 1 prelude 02:26
    Track
    1
    Title
    prelude
    Duration
    02:26
    Composer
    David Lang
    Ensemble
    Attacca Quartet
  2. 2 people who kill themselves 06:05
    Track
    2
    Title
    people who kill themselves
    Duration
    06:05
    Composer
    David Lang
    Performer
    Theo Bleckmann
    Ensemble
    Attacca Quartet
  3. 3 my mother had lost her mind 05:15
    Track
    3
    Title
    my mother had lost her mind
    Duration
    05:15
    Composer
    David Lang
    Performer
    Theo Bleckmann
    Ensemble
    Attacca Quartet
  4. 4 I had a sister 06:24
    Track
    4
    Title
    I had a sister
    Duration
    06:24
    Composer
    David Lang
    Performer
    Theo Bleckmann
    Ensemble
    Attacca Quartet
  5. 5 amen 01:45
    Track
    5
    Title
    amen
    Duration
    01:45
    Composer
    David Lang
    Ensemble
    Attacca Quartet
  6. 6 my father ran a store 05:27
    Track
    6
    Title
    my father ran a store
    Duration
    05:27
    Composer
    David Lang
    Performer
    Theo Bleckmann
    Ensemble
    Attacca Quartet
  7. 7 my mother, my sister, my father 05:28
    Track
    7
    Title
    my mother, my sister, my father
    Duration
    05:28
    Composer
    David Lang
    Performer
    Theo Bleckmann
    Ensemble
    Attacca Quartet
  8. 8 I wanted to die 09:53
    Track
    8
    Title
    I wanted to die
    Duration
    09:53
    Composer
    David Lang
    Performer
    Theo Bleckmann
    Ensemble
    Attacca Quartet
  9. 9 long silence 05:45
    Track
    9
    Title
    long silence
    Duration
    05:45
    Composer
    David Lang
    Performer
    Theo Bleckmann
    Ensemble
    Attacca Quartet