Composer

:

Irena Regina Poldowski

Genre

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Vocal

Average_duration

:

2:28

Irena Regina Poldowski was a Polish-Belgian composer and pianist who lived from 1880 to 1932. One of her most famous works is "Spleen," a song cycle composed in 1911. The premiere of "Spleen" took place in London in 1912, with Poldowski herself accompanying the singer. "Spleen" is a cycle of six songs, each of which sets a poem by Charles Baudelaire to music. The poems deal with themes of ennui, despair, and the fleeting nature of pleasure. Poldowski's music captures the mood of the poems perfectly, with its melancholy harmonies and haunting melodies. The first song, "Spleen," sets the tone for the cycle with its mournful opening chords. The singer laments the passing of time and the loss of youth and beauty. The second song, "Ideal," is more upbeat, with a lively piano accompaniment and a melody that suggests the fleeting nature of happiness. The third song, "The Sick Muse," is one of the most famous in the cycle. It features a haunting melody that captures the despair of the poet as he struggles to find inspiration. The fourth song, "The Venal Muse," is more cynical, with a melody that suggests the emptiness of fame and fortune. The fifth song, "The Evil Monk," is perhaps the darkest in the cycle. It features a dissonant piano accompaniment and a melody that suggests the horror of the poet's vision. The final song, "The Death of Lovers," is a mournful lament for lost love, with a melody that captures the sadness of the poet's heart. Overall, "Spleen" is a powerful and haunting work that captures the mood of Baudelaire's poetry perfectly. Poldowski's music is both beautiful and melancholy, and it remains a testament to her skill as a composer.

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