Composer

:

David Diamond

Genre

:

Vocal

Style

:

Vocal Music

Compose Date

:

1944

Average_duration

:

1:02

David Diamond's "Music, When Soft Voices Die" is a song cycle composed in 1947. The premiere of the work was given by soprano Phyllis Curtin and pianist Samuel Barber on March 10, 1948, at the Town Hall in New York City. The cycle consists of four movements, each of which sets a poem by a different author. The first movement, "Music, When Soft Voices Die," sets a poem by Percy Bysshe Shelley. The music is characterized by a gentle, flowing melody in the piano, which is accompanied by a soaring vocal line. The overall effect is one of wistful nostalgia, as the poem speaks of the fleeting nature of beauty and the inevitability of death. The second movement, "Love's Philosophy," sets a poem by Percy Bysshe Shelley. The music is characterized by a lively, dance-like rhythm in the piano, which is accompanied by a playful vocal line. The overall effect is one of youthful exuberance, as the poem speaks of the joy of love and the unity of all things in nature. The third movement, "The Nightingale," sets a poem by Samuel Taylor Coleridge. The music is characterized by a haunting, ethereal quality in the piano, which is accompanied by a soaring vocal line. The overall effect is one of mystery and enchantment, as the poem speaks of the beauty and power of the nightingale's song. The fourth and final movement, "To the Virgins, to Make Much of Time," sets a poem by Robert Herrick. The music is characterized by a lively, energetic rhythm in the piano, which is accompanied by a spirited vocal line. The overall effect is one of urgency and vitality, as the poem urges the listener to seize the day and make the most of life. Overall, "Music, When Soft Voices Die" is a beautiful and evocative song cycle that showcases David Diamond's skill as a composer. The music is characterized by a lyrical and expressive vocal line, accompanied by rich and varied piano textures. The cycle is a testament to the enduring power of poetry and music to move and inspire us.

More....