Composer

:

Tobias Hume

Genre

:

Miscellaneous

Style

:

Miscellaneous

Compose Date

:

1607

Average_duration

:

5:09

"Cease Leaden Slumber, the Queens New-yeeres Gift" is a composition by Tobias Hume, an English composer and viol player who lived from 1569 to 1645. The piece was composed in the early 17th century and was likely premiered at the court of Queen Anne of Denmark, to whom it was dedicated as a New Year's gift. The composition consists of four movements, each with its own distinct character and mood. The first movement, "Cease Leaden Slumber," is a slow and mournful piece that features a solo viol playing a melancholy melody. The second movement, "The Spirit of Musicke," is more lively and upbeat, with a faster tempo and a more complex texture. The third movement, "Fain would I change that note," is a vocal piece that features a solo soprano singing a plaintive melody accompanied by a viol. The final movement, "Tobacco," is a humorous and lighthearted piece that features a solo viol playing a lively dance tune. One of the most notable characteristics of "Cease Leaden Slumber" is its use of chromaticism, which was a relatively new technique at the time. Hume employs chromaticism to create a sense of tension and dissonance in the music, which adds to its emotional impact. Another characteristic of the piece is its use of contrasting moods and textures, which creates a sense of variety and interest for the listener. Overall, "Cease Leaden Slumber, the Queens New-yeeres Gift" is a beautiful and complex composition that showcases Hume's skill as a composer and viol player. Its combination of melancholy and joyful elements, as well as its use of innovative techniques, make it a unique and memorable work of early English music.

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