Composer

:

Xavier Montsalvatge

Genre

:

Vocal

Style

:

Vocal Music

Compose Date

:

1948

Average_duration

:

4:31

Xavier Montsalvatge's 'Cançó Amorosa' is a song cycle composed in 1948 for voice and piano. The premiere of the work took place in Barcelona in 1949, with the composer himself at the piano and the soprano Conchita Badía as the soloist. The cycle consists of five movements, each of which is a setting of a poem by a different Catalan poet. The first movement, 'El món es va acabant', is a melancholic and introspective piece that sets a poem by Joan Salvat-Papasseit. The second movement, 'La nit de Nadal', is a lively and festive piece that sets a poem by Josep Carner. The third movement, 'El meu amor', is a tender and romantic piece that sets a poem by Joan Maragall. The fourth movement, 'El cant dels ocells', is a peaceful and contemplative piece that sets a traditional Catalan Christmas carol. The final movement, 'Cançó de bressol', is a gentle and soothing lullaby that sets a poem by Jacint Verdaguer. Montsalvatge's 'Cançó Amorosa' is characterized by its lyrical melodies, rich harmonies, and expressive use of rhythm and dynamics. The composer's use of Catalan poetry reflects his commitment to the cultural and linguistic identity of Catalonia, and his music is often associated with the Catalan cultural renaissance of the mid-twentieth century. The cycle is a testament to Montsalvatge's skill as a composer of vocal music, and it remains a beloved work in the Catalan art song repertoire.

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