Composer

:

Hans Werner Henze

Genre

:

Vocal

Style

:

Song: Art Song

Compose Date

:

1963

Average_duration

:

15:37

Being Beauteous is a composition by German composer Hans Werner Henze. It was composed in 1974 and premiered on October 17, 1974, in Berlin. The piece is divided into three movements and is scored for soprano, flute, clarinet, violin, cello, and piano. The first movement, titled "Being Beauteous," is based on a poem by Arthur Rimbaud. The music is characterized by a dreamy, ethereal quality, with the soprano singing in a high, floating register. The instrumental parts are sparse and delicate, with the flute and clarinet weaving in and out of the texture. The second movement, titled "The Sea," is based on a poem by Pablo Neruda. The music is more turbulent and agitated than the first movement, with the soprano singing in a more declamatory style. The instrumental parts are more active, with the violin and cello playing fast, angular lines. The third movement, titled "The Sun," is based on a poem by Federico Garcia Lorca. The music is characterized by a bright, sunny quality, with the soprano singing in a more joyful, celebratory style. The instrumental parts are more rhythmic and dance-like, with the piano playing a prominent role. Overall, Being Beauteous is a hauntingly beautiful work that showcases Henze's skill at creating evocative, atmospheric music. The piece is notable for its use of poetry as a source of inspiration, as well as its delicate, nuanced instrumental writing.

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