Composer

:

Frederick Delius

Genre

:

Vocal

Compose Date

:

1891

Movement_count

:

5

Movement ....

Frederick Delius composed his song cycle 'Maud, RT iii/3' in 1898-99, with the premiere taking place in London in 1902. The cycle consists of six movements, each setting a poem from Alfred Lord Tennyson's 'Maud: A Monodrama'. The first movement, 'Birds in the High Hall Garden', is a lively and playful setting of the poem's opening lines, with the piano imitating the chirping of birds. The second movement, 'O that 'twere possible', is a slow and melancholic piece, with the voice expressing the speaker's longing for his lost love. The third movement, 'Go not, happy day', is a lively and optimistic piece, with the voice celebrating the return of his love. The fourth movement, 'The fault was mine', is a somber and introspective piece, with the voice reflecting on his own mistakes and shortcomings. The fifth movement, 'Dead, long dead', is a mournful and haunting piece, with the voice lamenting the loss of his love. The final movement, 'Let me see thy face', is a passionate and intense piece, with the voice expressing his desire to be reunited with his love in death. Throughout the cycle, Delius employs a rich and expressive harmonic language, with lush and colorful piano accompaniments that often evoke the natural imagery of Tennyson's poetry. The vocal writing is also highly expressive, with the voice soaring to dramatic heights in moments of passion and sinking to quiet introspection in moments of reflection. Overall, 'Maud, RT iii/3' is a powerful and evocative song cycle that showcases Delius's mastery of both vocal and instrumental writing. Its emotional depth and expressive beauty have made it a beloved work in the art song repertoire.

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