Composer

:

George Butterworth

Genre

:

Orchestral

Style

:

Elegy

Compose Date

:

1912

Average_duration

:

9:22

'A Shropshire Lad' is a song cycle composed by George Butterworth, a British composer, in 1911. The cycle is based on a collection of poems by A.E. Housman, which were published in 1896. The premiere of the cycle took place on 10 October 1912, at the Aeolian Hall in London, with the baritone singer, Gervase Elwes, accompanied by Butterworth himself on the piano. The cycle consists of ten songs, each of which is a setting of a different poem from Housman's collection. The songs are arranged in a specific order, which follows the narrative arc of the poems. The first song, "Loveliest of Trees," sets the tone for the cycle, with its nostalgic and melancholic mood. The second song, "When I Was One-and-Twenty," is more upbeat, but still carries a sense of regret and loss. The third song, "Look Not In My Eyes," is a haunting and introspective piece, while the fourth song, "Think No More, Lad," is more optimistic and hopeful. The fifth song, "The Lads in Their Hundreds," is a somber and mournful piece, which reflects on the loss of young men in war. The sixth song, "Is My Team Ploughing," is a dialogue between a dead soldier and his friend, who is still alive. The seventh song, "Oh, Fair Enough Are Sky and Plain," is a pastoral and idyllic piece, which contrasts with the darker themes of the previous songs. The eighth song, "When I Watch the Living Meet," is a contemplative and introspective piece, which reflects on the transience of life. The ninth song, "Into My Heart an Air That Kills," is a haunting and melancholic piece, which reflects on the pain of unrequited love. The final song, "Epilogue," brings the cycle to a close, with a sense of acceptance and resignation. The characteristics of 'A Shropshire Lad' are typical of Butterworth's style, which is characterized by its simplicity, clarity, and emotional depth. The songs are mostly written in a simple, folk-like style, with clear melodies and harmonies. The piano accompaniment is also simple and understated, allowing the voice to take center stage. The songs are also characterized by their emotional depth, which is conveyed through the use of simple, yet powerful, musical gestures. Overall, 'A Shropshire Lad' is a beautiful and poignant song cycle, which captures the essence of Housman's poetry and Butterworth's musical style. It remains a popular and enduring work in the British art song repertoire.

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