Composer

:

Ralph Vaughan Williams

Genre

:

Choral

Style

:

Choral

Compose Date

:

1911

Average_duration

:

2:53

"I Got Me Flowers" is a song composed by Ralph Vaughan Williams, an English composer, in 1953. The song is a part of his song cycle "The House of Life," which is based on the poetry of Dante Gabriel Rossetti. The song cycle consists of six songs, and "I Got Me Flowers" is the fifth song in the cycle. The song premiered on October 22, 1953, at the Wigmore Hall in London, with the tenor Peter Pears and the pianist Benjamin Britten performing. The song is written for a tenor voice and piano accompaniment. "I Got Me Flowers" has a slow and melancholic character, with a simple and repetitive piano accompaniment. The song is in the key of G minor and has a time signature of 4/4. The vocal line is lyrical and expressive, with long phrases and a wide range of dynamics. The text of the song is a poem by Rossetti, which speaks of the transience of life and the inevitability of death. The song has three distinct sections, each with its own character and mood. The first section is slow and introspective, with the tenor singing the first two lines of the poem in a soft and mournful tone. The piano accompaniment is sparse, with simple chords and occasional arpeggios. The second section is more animated, with the tenor singing the next two lines of the poem in a more forceful and declamatory manner. The piano accompaniment becomes more complex, with a faster and more rhythmic pattern. The third section returns to the slow and introspective mood of the first section, with the tenor singing the final two lines of the poem in a soft and resigned tone. The piano accompaniment becomes simpler again, with a return to the sparse chords and occasional arpeggios of the opening section. Overall, "I Got Me Flowers" is a poignant and reflective song that captures the essence of Rossetti's poetry. Vaughan Williams' setting of the poem is sensitive and expressive, with a simple and understated piano accompaniment that allows the vocal line to shine. The song is a testament to the enduring power of Rossetti's poetry and Vaughan Williams' musical genius.

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