Composer

:

Benjamin Britten

Genre

:

Vocal

Style

:

Vocal Music

Compose Date

:

ca. 1947

Average_duration

:

1:53

"There's None to Soothe" is a song composed by Benjamin Britten in 1945. It was premiered on May 10, 1945, at the Wigmore Hall in London, with Britten himself accompanying the singer, Peter Pears, on the piano. The song is part of Britten's song cycle, "The Holy Sonnets of John Donne," which consists of nine songs based on the poems of the 16th-century English poet and cleric. "There's None to Soothe" is the seventh song in the cycle and is set to Donne's poem of the same name. The song is in the key of E-flat major and is marked "Lento, molto espressivo" (slow, very expressive). It is a mournful and introspective piece, with a haunting melody that is both beautiful and melancholic. The song is divided into three distinct sections, each with its own character and mood. The first section is marked "molto espressivo" (very expressive) and is sung in a slow and mournful manner. The second section is marked "poco più mosso" (a little more animated) and is more agitated and restless, with a faster tempo and more complex piano accompaniment. The final section returns to the mood of the first, with the singer returning to the slow and mournful melody of the opening. The song is characterized by Britten's use of dissonance and chromaticism, which create a sense of tension and unease throughout the piece. The piano accompaniment is also notable for its use of arpeggios and broken chords, which add to the sense of restlessness and uncertainty. Overall, "There's None to Soothe" is a powerful and moving piece of music that captures the emotional depth and complexity of Donne's poetry. It is a testament to Britten's skill as a composer and his ability to create music that is both beautiful and deeply affecting.

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