Composer

:

Antonin Dvorák

Genre

:

Chamber

Style

:

Quartet

Compose Date

:

Apr 21, 1887 - May 21, 1887

Publication Date

:

1921

Average_duration

:

36:00

Movement_count

:

12

Movement ....

Antonin Dvorák's "Cypresses, B. 152" is a collection of 12 songs for vocal quartet, composed in 1865. The songs are based on poems by Gustav Pfleger-Moravsky, a friend of Dvorák's, and were originally written for piano and voice. The songs were later arranged for vocal quartet by Dvorák himself. The premiere of "Cypresses" took place in 1887, when Dvorák was already a well-established composer. The songs were performed by the Czech Quartet, a renowned vocal ensemble of the time. The collection was well-received by audiences and critics alike, and helped to establish Dvorák's reputation as a composer of vocal music. The 12 songs in "Cypresses" are divided into two groups of six, with each group forming a distinct cycle. The first cycle is characterized by its melancholic and introspective tone, while the second cycle is more optimistic and joyful. The songs are also notable for their use of folk melodies and rhythms, which are a hallmark of Dvorák's style. The first cycle of "Cypresses" begins with the song "I Know That on My Love to Thee," which sets the tone for the rest of the collection with its mournful melody and introspective lyrics. Other notable songs in the cycle include "In the Depths of the Forest," which features a haunting melody and evocative imagery, and "When Thy Sweet Glances Fall on Me," which is characterized by its gentle, lilting rhythm. The second cycle of "Cypresses" begins with the song "Nature Lies Peaceful in Slumber and Dreaming," which is marked by its joyful melody and optimistic lyrics. Other notable songs in the cycle include "Thou Only Dear One, for Me," which features a lively, dance-like rhythm, and "The World Is Beautiful," which is characterized by its exuberant melody and celebratory lyrics. Overall, "Cypresses, B. 152" is a beautiful and evocative collection of songs that showcases Dvorák's skill as a composer of vocal music. The songs are notable for their use of folk melodies and rhythms, as well as their introspective and optimistic tone. The collection remains a beloved part of Dvorák's oeuvre to this day.

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