Composer

:

Roger Vignoles

Genre

:

Vocal

Style

:

Vocal Music

Average_duration

:

3:55

'Lowlands' is a song cycle composed by Roger Vignoles, a British pianist and composer. The cycle was composed in 1996 and premiered in the same year at the Wigmore Hall in London. It consists of six movements, each of which is based on a traditional Scottish folk song. The first movement, 'The Bonnie Earl o' Moray', is a lament for the Earl of Moray, who was murdered in 1592. The music is slow and mournful, with the piano providing a somber accompaniment to the vocal line. The second movement, 'The Water is Wide', is a love song in which the singer laments the distance between herself and her lover. The music is gentle and flowing, with the piano providing a rippling accompaniment that evokes the image of water. The third movement, 'The Lea Rig', is a song about a young man who falls in love with a girl from a wealthy family. The music is lively and energetic, with the piano providing a bouncy accompaniment that captures the youthful exuberance of the protagonist. The fourth movement, 'The Rowan Tree', is a song about a young man who falls in love with a girl who is already engaged to another man. The music is wistful and melancholy, with the piano providing a delicate accompaniment that underscores the sense of longing in the lyrics. The fifth movement, 'The Keel Row', is a song about a boat that is used to transport goods along the River Tyne. The music is lively and rhythmic, with the piano providing a driving accompaniment that captures the energy of the boat and the river. The final movement, 'Auld Lang Syne', is a traditional Scottish song that is often sung at New Year's Eve celebrations. The music is joyful and celebratory, with the piano providing a lively accompaniment that captures the festive spirit of the lyrics. Overall, 'Lowlands' is a beautiful and evocative song cycle that showcases Vignoles' skill as a composer and pianist. The music is deeply rooted in Scottish folk traditions, but Vignoles' arrangements and accompaniments give the songs a fresh and contemporary feel.

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