Composer

:

George Butterworth

Genre

:

Vocal

Style

:

Vocal Music

Average_duration

:

3:40

George Butterworth's "On the Idle Hill of Summer" is a beautiful and evocative song cycle composed in 1914. The piece was premiered in London on March 24, 1915, with the composer himself accompanying the singer, baritone George Parker. The cycle consists of six songs, each of which sets a poem by A.E. Housman. The first song, "On the Idle Hill of Summer," sets the tone for the cycle with its gentle, pastoral melody and wistful lyrics. The second song, "When the Lad for Longing Sighs," is more melancholy, with a haunting melody that perfectly captures the sense of longing in the poem. The third song, "With Rue My Heart is Laden," is a mournful lament that showcases Butterworth's gift for melody and his ability to convey deep emotion through music. The fourth song, "Bredon Hill," is perhaps the most famous of the cycle, with its stirring melody and vivid depiction of the English countryside. The fifth song, "Oh, Fair Enough are Sky and Plain," is a more lighthearted piece, with a jaunty melody that perfectly captures the playful spirit of the poem. The final song, "When I was One-and-Twenty," is a bittersweet reflection on the passing of youth and the wisdom that comes with age. Throughout the cycle, Butterworth's music perfectly complements Housman's poetry, capturing the beauty and melancholy of the English countryside and the fleeting nature of youth and love. The composer's use of melody, harmony, and rhythm is masterful, creating a seamless and deeply affecting work that remains a beloved part of the English art song repertoire.

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