Composer

:

Arthur Foote

Genre

:

Keyboard

Style

:

Keyboard

Compose Date

:

1898

Average_duration

:

17:32

Movement_count

:

5

Movement ....

Arthur Foote's 'Poems (5) after Omar Khayyam, Op. 41' is a song cycle composed in 1900. The premiere of the work took place on March 7, 1901, in Boston, Massachusetts. The cycle consists of five movements, each of which sets a poem by the Persian poet Omar Khayyam. The first movement, titled "Awake!," is a lively and energetic setting of Khayyam's poem about the joys of life and the importance of living in the moment. The second movement, "The Bird of Time," is a more contemplative piece that reflects on the fleeting nature of time and the inevitability of death. The third movement, "The Rubaiyat," is a setting of one of Khayyam's most famous poems, which explores the themes of love, fate, and the search for meaning in life. Foote's setting is lush and romantic, with soaring melodies and rich harmonies. The fourth movement, "The Cup of Jamshyd," is a mystical and atmospheric piece that evokes the ancient Persian legend of the cup of immortality. Foote's music is full of exotic colors and textures, with shimmering strings and haunting woodwinds. The final movement, "The Moving Finger," is a powerful and dramatic setting of Khayyam's poem about the inevitability of fate and the transience of human life. Foote's music is full of tension and urgency, with driving rhythms and soaring melodies. Overall, Foote's 'Poems (5) after Omar Khayyam, Op. 41' is a masterful work that showcases his skill as a composer and his deep appreciation for the poetry of Omar Khayyam. The cycle is full of rich melodies, lush harmonies, and evocative textures, and it remains a beloved work in the repertoire of art song.

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