Composer

:

Gavin Bryars

Genre

:

Vocal

Compose Date

:

2007

First Performance

:

February 24, 2007

Average_duration

:

53:18

Movement_count

:

16

Movement ....

Nothing Like the Sun is a musical composition by Gavin Bryars, which was composed in 1999. The piece was premiered on October 22, 1999, at the Queen Elizabeth Hall in London, England. The composition is a song cycle that is based on the sonnets of William Shakespeare. The piece is divided into two parts, with each part consisting of nine songs. The first part of the composition is titled "The Sun Rising," and it consists of nine songs that are based on Shakespeare's sonnets that deal with the theme of love. The songs in this part of the composition are characterized by their lyrical melodies and their use of rich harmonies. The songs are sung by a tenor soloist, who is accompanied by a small ensemble of instruments, including a string quartet, a guitar, and a percussionist. The second part of the composition is titled "The Dark Lady," and it consists of nine songs that are based on Shakespeare's sonnets that deal with the theme of betrayal. The songs in this part of the composition are characterized by their darker and more dissonant harmonies, as well as their use of more complex rhythms. The songs are sung by a mezzo-soprano soloist, who is accompanied by the same ensemble of instruments as in the first part of the composition. Overall, Nothing Like the Sun is a highly expressive and emotional composition that showcases Bryars' skill as a composer. The piece is notable for its use of Shakespeare's sonnets as a source of inspiration, as well as its use of a small ensemble of instruments to create a rich and varied musical landscape. The piece has been performed numerous times since its premiere, and it remains a popular and highly regarded work in the contemporary classical music repertoire.

More....