Composer

:

Arthur Somervell

Genre

:

Miscellaneous

Style

:

Miscellaneous

Average_duration

:

4:53

Arthur Somervell's 'A Kingdom by the Sea' is a song cycle composed in 1897. It premiered in London on May 10, 1898, with the composer himself accompanying the singer. The cycle consists of six movements, each based on a poem by Edgar Allan Poe. The first movement, 'The Bells', is a lively and rhythmic piece that captures the sound and mood of different types of bells. The second movement, 'Annabel Lee', is a hauntingly beautiful ballad that tells the story of a young woman who dies young and the narrator's undying love for her. The third movement, 'The City in the Sea', is a dark and brooding piece that describes a city that has sunk into the sea. The fourth movement, 'The Raven', is perhaps the most famous of the six, and is a dramatic and intense setting of Poe's classic poem. The fifth movement, 'The Sleeper', is a gentle and dreamy piece that describes a beautiful woman who has died and is lying in her tomb. The final movement, 'Ulalume', is a mysterious and eerie piece that tells the story of a journey to a strange and haunted place. Somervell's music perfectly captures the mood and atmosphere of Poe's poetry, with each movement showcasing a different aspect of the composer's skill and creativity. The cycle is a masterpiece of English song, and remains a popular and beloved work to this day.

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