Composer

:

Edward Elgar

Genre

:

Vocal

Style

:

Vocal Music

Compose Date

:

1901

Average_duration

:

3:02

"Come, gentle night" is a choral work composed by Edward Elgar in 1900. It was premiered on October 4, 1900, at the Birmingham Triennial Music Festival, with Elgar conducting the choir and orchestra. The piece is a setting of a text from Act III, Scene 2 of William Shakespeare's play "Othello." The work is divided into three movements, each with its own distinct character. The first movement is marked "Andante molto tranquillo" and is sung by the choir a cappella. It begins with a soft, ethereal choral texture, with the voices blending together in a gentle, flowing melody. The music gradually builds in intensity, with the choir singing in rich, full harmonies. The movement ends with a return to the quiet, peaceful opening texture. The second movement is marked "Allegro moderato" and features the orchestra accompanying the choir. The music is more lively and rhythmic, with a sense of urgency and excitement. The choir sings in a more declamatory style, with the music building to a powerful climax before subsiding into a quiet, reflective coda. The final movement is marked "Andante molto tranquillo" and is sung by the choir a cappella. It is a reprise of the opening movement, with the same gentle, flowing melody and peaceful choral texture. The music gradually fades away, ending the piece on a serene and tranquil note. Overall, "Come, gentle night" is a beautiful and evocative choral work that showcases Elgar's skill as a composer. The music is rich and expressive, with a sense of depth and emotion that captures the spirit of Shakespeare's text. It is a testament to Elgar's ability to create music that is both powerful and intimate, and it remains a beloved work in the choral repertoire to this day.

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