Composer

:

John Ireland

Genre

:

Vocal

Style

:

Vocal Music

Compose Date

:

1920 - 1921

Average_duration

:

2:24

John Ireland's "Ladslove" is a song cycle composed for voice and piano, with lyrics by W.H. Davies. The cycle was composed in 1920 and premiered in the same year. It consists of six movements, each with its own unique characteristics. The first movement, "The Merry Month of May," is a lively and upbeat song that celebrates the arrival of spring. The piano accompaniment is light and playful, and the vocal melody is full of energy and joy. The second movement, "When I Was One-and-Twenty," is a more introspective and melancholy song. The piano accompaniment is sparse and simple, and the vocal melody is haunting and mournful. The lyrics speak of the pain of lost love and the wisdom that comes with age. The third movement, "The Lent Lily," is a delicate and ethereal song that celebrates the beauty of the spring flower. The piano accompaniment is gentle and flowing, and the vocal melody is soft and dreamy. The fourth movement, "The Bells of San Marie," is a dramatic and powerful song that tells the story of a lost love. The piano accompaniment is grand and sweeping, and the vocal melody is full of passion and longing. The fifth movement, "Epitaph," is a somber and reflective song that speaks of the inevitability of death. The piano accompaniment is mournful and solemn, and the vocal melody is haunting and poignant. The final movement, "Money, O!," is a lively and humorous song that pokes fun at the obsession with wealth and material possessions. The piano accompaniment is jaunty and playful, and the vocal melody is full of wit and humor. Overall, "Ladslove" is a diverse and engaging song cycle that showcases John Ireland's skill as a composer and W.H. Davies' talent as a lyricist. The cycle is a testament to the beauty and power of the human voice, and it remains a beloved work in the classical music repertoire.

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