Composer

:

Benjamin Britten

Genre

:

Vocal

Style

:

Song

Compose Date

:

1937

Average_duration

:

5:51

Movement_count

:

2

Movement ....

Ballads (2) is a song cycle composed by Benjamin Britten in 1936. The premiere of the work took place on 22nd October 1936 at the Wigmore Hall in London, with Britten himself accompanying the singer, Peter Pears. The cycle consists of six songs, each with its own distinct character and mood. The first song, "The Brisk Young Widow," is a lively and humorous tune about a young widow who is courted by several suitors. The second song, "Little Sir William," is a haunting ballad about a young boy who is murdered by his own mother. The third song, "The Bonny Earl o' Moray," is a Scottish ballad about the murder of the Earl of Moray by his jealous cousin. The fourth song, "The Stream in the Valley," is a pastoral ballad about the beauty of nature. The fifth song, "The Salley Gardens," is a simple and melancholic tune about lost love. The final song, "The Foggy, Foggy Dew," is a traditional English ballad about a man who is searching for his lost love. Britten's setting of these ballads is characterized by his use of simple, folk-like melodies and his skillful use of harmony and counterpoint. He also employs a variety of vocal techniques, including recitative, aria, and choral singing, to convey the different moods and emotions of each song. The piano accompaniment is also an integral part of the cycle, providing a rich and varied texture that complements the vocal line. Overall, Ballads (2) is a masterful example of Britten's skill as a composer and his ability to capture the essence of traditional folk music in a modern setting. Its premiere marked the beginning of a long and fruitful collaboration between Britten and Pears, who would go on to become one of the most celebrated partnerships in the history of classical music.

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