Composer

:

Benjamin Britten

Genre

:

Vocal

Style

:

Vocal Music

Compose Date

:

1956

Average_duration

:

17:35

The Heart of the Matter is a song cycle composed by Benjamin Britten in 1956. It was premiered on July 12, 1956, at the Aldeburgh Festival, with Peter Pears as the tenor soloist and Britten himself at the piano. The cycle consists of six songs, each based on a poem by a different poet. The first song, "The Prodigal Son," is based on a poem by Edith Sitwell. It is a dramatic and intense piece, with a driving piano accompaniment and soaring vocal lines. The second song, "The Soldier," is based on a poem by Rupert Brooke. It is a more introspective and melancholy piece, with a hauntingly beautiful melody and delicate piano accompaniment. The third song, "The Death of Saint Narcissus," is based on a poem by T.S. Eliot. It is a dark and brooding piece, with a dissonant piano accompaniment and a haunting vocal line. The fourth song, "The Monk and His Cat," is based on a poem by W.H. Auden. It is a playful and whimsical piece, with a lively piano accompaniment and a charming vocal line. The fifth song, "The Flower-Fed Buffaloes," is based on a poem by Vachel Lindsay. It is a pastoral and serene piece, with a gentle piano accompaniment and a flowing vocal line. The final song, "The Journey of the Magi," is based on a poem by T.S. Eliot. It is a powerful and dramatic piece, with a driving piano accompaniment and a soaring vocal line. Overall, The Heart of the Matter is a complex and varied song cycle, showcasing Britten's mastery of both vocal and piano writing. The cycle is characterized by its intense emotional depth, its use of dissonance and unconventional harmonies, and its wide range of moods and styles. It remains a beloved and frequently performed work in the classical vocal repertoire.

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