Composer

:

Percy Grainger

Genre

:

Vocal

Style

:

Song: Folk Song

Compose Date

:

1900

Publication Date

:

1990

Movement_count

:

14

Movement ....

'Songs of the North (14)' is a collection of folk songs arranged for solo voice and piano by Australian composer Percy Grainger. The collection was composed between 1901 and 1905, and premiered in London in 1906. The collection consists of 14 songs, each based on a traditional folk melody from the northern regions of England, Scotland, and Scandinavia. The songs are arranged in Grainger's distinctive style, which emphasizes the natural rhythms and melodies of the original tunes while adding complex harmonies and intricate piano accompaniments. The first movement, "The Three Ravens," is a haunting ballad from England that tells the story of three ravens who watch over a slain knight. The second movement, "The Bonny Earl o' Moray," is a Scottish lament for a nobleman who was murdered in 1592. The third movement, "The Brisk Young Sailor," is a lively sea shanty from Scotland that tells the story of a sailor who falls in love with a young woman but must leave her to go to sea. The fourth movement, "The Sprig of Thyme," is a traditional English ballad about a young man who falls in love with a woman but is rejected by her family. The fifth movement, "The Sussex Mummers' Christmas Carol," is a festive song from England that tells the story of a group of mummers who go from house to house singing and dancing during the Christmas season. The sixth movement, "The Pretty Maid Milkin' Her Cow," is a Scottish song about a young woman who tends to her cows in the fields. The seventh movement, "The Lads of Wamphray," is a Scottish ballad about a group of young men who go to war and leave their sweethearts behind. The eighth movement, "The Keel Row," is a lively Northumbrian tune that was often played at weddings and other celebrations. The ninth movement, "The Trees They Do Grow High," is an English ballad about a young man who marries a woman much older than himself. The tenth movement, "The Leather Bottel," is a lively English drinking song that tells the story of a group of men who go to a tavern and drink until they can drink no more. The eleventh movement, "The Widow's Party," is a Scottish song about a group of women who gather together to mourn the loss of a friend. The twelfth movement, "The Shepherd's Hey," is a lively English dance tune that was often played at country fairs and other outdoor events. The thirteenth movement, "The Gumsuckers' March," is an Australian folk song that Grainger collected during his travels in Australia. The final movement, "Lord Maxwell's Goodnight," is a Scottish lament for a nobleman who is about to be executed. Overall, 'Songs of the North (14)' is a beautiful and varied collection of folk songs that showcases Grainger's unique approach to arranging traditional melodies. The collection remains popular among singers and pianists today and is considered a classic of the genre.

More....