Composer

:

Geoffrey Bush

Genre

:

Vocal

Style

:

Vocal Music

Average_duration

:

3:06

'Songs (4) from The Hesperides, No. 2, Upon the loss of his Mistresses' is a song cycle composed by Geoffrey Bush. The cycle was composed in 1955 and premiered in the same year. The cycle consists of four movements, each of which is a setting of a poem by Robert Herrick. The first movement, "The Night Piece: To Julia," is a slow and mournful setting of a poem in which the speaker laments the loss of his lover. The second movement, "Upon the loss of his Mistresses," is a more upbeat and lively setting of a poem in which the speaker reflects on the joys of love and the pain of its loss. The third movement, "The Dream," is a haunting and atmospheric setting of a poem in which the speaker dreams of his lost love. The final movement, "The Parting," is a poignant and emotional setting of a poem in which the speaker bids farewell to his lover. The characteristics of the cycle are typical of Bush's style, which is characterized by a lyrical and expressive use of melody, a sensitive and nuanced approach to harmony, and a keen sense of dramatic pacing. The cycle is notable for its emotional depth and its ability to capture the complex and often conflicting emotions associated with love and loss. Overall, 'Songs (4) from The Hesperides, No. 2, Upon the loss of his Mistresses' is a powerful and moving song cycle that showcases Bush's skill as a composer and his ability to capture the nuances of human emotion through music.

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