Composer

:

Rudolf Escher

Genre

:

Choral

Style

:

Choral

Average_duration

:

3:36

'Poems (3) by W.H. Auden for choir: No. 1, If I could tell you' is a choral work composed by Dutch composer Rudolf Escher. The piece was composed in 1953 and premiered on May 14, 1954, in Amsterdam, Netherlands. The work is based on the poem 'If I could tell you' by W.H. Auden, which explores the theme of love and the limitations of language in expressing it. The piece is divided into three movements, with the first movement being the most well-known and frequently performed. The first movement, 'If I could tell you', is a setting of Auden's poem for mixed choir and piano. The music is characterized by lush harmonies and a flowing, lyrical melody that reflects the poem's themes of longing and unrequited love. The choir sings the text in a gentle, almost whisper-like manner, conveying the sense of intimacy and vulnerability that the poem evokes. The second movement, 'Lullaby', is a setting of Auden's poem of the same name. The music is characterized by a gentle, rocking rhythm and a simple, yet beautiful melody that reflects the poem's themes of comfort and reassurance. The choir sings the text in a soothing, lullaby-like manner, creating a sense of calm and peacefulness. The third and final movement, 'As I walked out one evening', is a setting of Auden's poem of the same name. The music is characterized by a lively, dance-like rhythm and a playful, whimsical melody that reflects the poem's themes of love and the passing of time. The choir sings the text in a joyful, exuberant manner, creating a sense of celebration and optimism. Overall, 'Poems (3) by W.H. Auden for choir: No. 1, If I could tell you' is a beautiful and moving choral work that captures the essence of Auden's poetry. Escher's music is characterized by lush harmonies, flowing melodies, and a sense of intimacy and vulnerability that perfectly complements the themes of Auden's poems.

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