Composer

:

Benjamin Britten

Genre

:

Vocal

Style

:

Vocal Music

Compose Date

:

1937

Average_duration

:

2:28

"Night covers up the rigid land" is a song cycle composed by Benjamin Britten in 1958. The premiere of the work was given by tenor Peter Pears and pianist Benjamin Britten on 14th October 1958 at the Wigmore Hall in London. The song cycle consists of six movements, each of which sets a poem by W.H. Auden. The poems explore themes of love, loss, and the passing of time. The first movement, "Underneath the abject willow," is a mournful reflection on the passing of a loved one. The second movement, "O lurcher-loving collier," is a lively and playful song about a dog and his owner. The third movement, "Midnight on the Great Western," is a haunting meditation on the loneliness of train travel. The fourth movement, "At the railway station, upway," is a nostalgic look back at a lost love. The fifth movement, "As it is, plenty," is a wry commentary on the excesses of modern life. The final movement, "Nocturne," is a peaceful lullaby that brings the cycle to a gentle close. Britten's music is characterized by its sensitivity to the text and its ability to capture the mood and meaning of the poems. The piano accompaniment is often spare and understated, allowing the voice to take center stage. The vocal writing is lyrical and expressive, with a wide range of emotions and vocal colors. Overall, "Night covers up the rigid land" is a powerful and moving work that showcases Britten's skill as a composer and his deep understanding of the human experience.

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