Composer

:

Richard Rodney Bennett

Genre

:

Choral

Style

:

Choral

Compose Date

:

1999

Average_duration

:

2:47

'A Good-Night' is a choral work composed by Richard Rodney Bennett in 1977. The piece was premiered by the King's Singers, a British a cappella vocal ensemble, in the same year. The work is divided into three movements, each with its own unique characteristics. The first movement, 'A Good-Night', is a setting of a poem by William Shakespeare. The music is gentle and soothing, with a lullaby-like quality. The harmonies are simple and diatonic, creating a sense of calm and tranquility. The vocal lines are mostly homophonic, with occasional moments of polyphony. The movement ends with a soft, peaceful cadence. The second movement, 'The Owl and the Pussycat', is a setting of the famous poem by Edward Lear. The music is playful and whimsical, with a jaunty rhythm and lively vocal lines. The harmonies are more complex than in the first movement, with frequent use of chromaticism and unexpected chord progressions. The vocal lines are often imitative, with the different parts echoing and imitating each other. The movement ends with a joyful, energetic flourish. The third movement, 'Weep You No More', is a setting of a poem by John Dowland. The music is melancholy and introspective, with a slow, mournful tempo. The harmonies are rich and expressive, with frequent use of suspensions and dissonances. The vocal lines are mostly homophonic, with occasional moments of polyphony. The movement ends with a quiet, resigned cadence. Overall, 'A Good-Night' is a beautiful and varied choral work that showcases Richard Rodney Bennett's skill as a composer. The three movements each have their own distinct character, but they are united by a sense of lyricism and emotional depth. The piece is a testament to the power of choral music to evoke a wide range of emotions and moods.

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