Composer

:

Arnold Bax

Genre

:

Keyboard

Style

:

Variations

Compose Date

:

1945

Average_duration

:

2:46

Arnold Bax's 'O Dame Get Up and Bake Your Pies' is a choral work composed in 1926. It was premiered on 22nd October 1926 at the Royal Albert Hall in London, conducted by Adrian Boult. The piece is a setting of a traditional English folk song, which tells the story of a woman who refuses to get up and bake pies for her husband until he brings her a fine gown and a petticoat. The work is divided into three movements, each with its own distinct character. The first movement is marked 'Allegro con fuoco' and is a lively and energetic setting of the folk song. The choir sings the main melody, while the orchestra provides a lively accompaniment. The second movement is marked 'Andante con moto' and is a more reflective setting of the same melody. The choir sings the melody in a more subdued manner, while the orchestra provides a gentle accompaniment. The final movement is marked 'Allegro vivace' and is a lively and joyful setting of the folk song. The choir sings the melody with great energy, while the orchestra provides a lively and rhythmic accompaniment. The work is characterized by Bax's use of rich harmonies and colorful orchestration. He employs a wide range of instrumental colors, including brass, woodwinds, strings, and percussion, to create a vivid and dynamic sound world. The choral writing is also highly expressive, with Bax using a variety of vocal textures and techniques to bring out the meaning and emotion of the text. Overall, 'O Dame Get Up and Bake Your Pies' is a lively and colorful work that showcases Bax's skill as a composer and his deep appreciation for the English folk tradition. Its premiere was a great success, and it has since become a beloved part of the choral repertoire.

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