Composer

:

Madeleine Dring

Genre

:

Vocal

Style

:

Vocal Music

Average_duration

:

2:45

Betjeman Songs (5) No. 5, Upper Lambourne is a song cycle composed by Madeleine Dring. The cycle was composed in 1960 and premiered in the same year. The cycle consists of five movements, each of which is based on a poem by John Betjeman. The first movement, "Upper Lambourne," is a lively and playful piece that captures the joy and energy of the countryside. The second movement, "The Licorice Fields at Pontefract," is a haunting and melancholic piece that explores the themes of loss and nostalgia. The third movement, "A Bay in Anglesey," is a serene and contemplative piece that evokes the beauty and tranquility of the Welsh coast. The fourth movement, "The Arrest of Oscar Wilde at the Cadogan Hotel," is a dramatic and intense piece that captures the tension and emotion of Wilde's arrest. The final movement, "In a Bath Teashop," is a whimsical and humorous piece that captures the quirky and eccentric nature of the English tea shop. Dring's music is characterized by its lyrical melodies, playful rhythms, and colorful harmonies. Her use of orchestration is particularly noteworthy, as she employs a wide range of instruments to create a rich and varied sound palette. Overall, Betjeman Songs (5) No. 5, Upper Lambourne is a charming and engaging song cycle that showcases Dring's skill as a composer and her ability to capture the essence of Betjeman's poetry.

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