Composer

:

Rebecca Clarke

Genre

:

Vocal

Style

:

Vocal Music

Average_duration

:

5:41

Rebecca Clarke's "The Seal Man" is a song cycle composed in 1922. It premiered in London in 1923, with Clarke herself accompanying the singer. The cycle consists of four movements, each based on a poem by the Irish poet James Stephens. The first movement, "The Seal Man," tells the story of a man who is transformed into a seal and must return to the sea. The music is haunting and atmospheric, with a sense of mystery and magic. The second movement, "The Lost Woman," is a melancholy ballad about a woman who has lost her lover and wanders the countryside searching for him. The music is lyrical and expressive, with a sense of longing and sadness. The third movement, "The Fisherman of Lough Neagh," is a lively and rhythmic song about a fisherman who catches a magical fish that grants him three wishes. The music is playful and energetic, with a sense of humor and mischief. The final movement, "The Love of My Heart," is a tender and romantic ballad about a woman who has lost her lover and longs for him to return. The music is lyrical and expressive, with a sense of yearning and passion. Overall, "The Seal Man" is a beautiful and evocative song cycle that showcases Rebecca Clarke's skill as a composer and her ability to capture the mood and emotion of the poetry. The music is rich and complex, with a sense of depth and nuance that rewards repeated listening.

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