Composer

:

Sergey Rachmaninov

Genre

:

Vocal

Style

:

Song

Compose Date

:

1902

Average_duration

:

2:08

"How fair this spot" is a song composed by Sergey Rachmaninov in 1902. It is the seventh song in his Opus 21 collection, which consists of twelve songs for voice and piano. The song is based on a poem by Fyodor Tyutchev, a Russian poet from the Romantic era. The song premiered in Moscow in 1903, with Rachmaninov himself accompanying the singer. It has since become one of his most popular songs, frequently performed in recitals and recordings. "How fair this spot" is a slow and melancholic song, with a haunting melody that reflects the poem's themes of nostalgia and longing. The song is in the key of G minor and has a simple ABA form, with the middle section providing a contrast to the opening and closing sections. The opening section begins with a descending piano arpeggio, followed by the singer's entrance with the first line of the poem. The melody is simple and lyrical, with a descending phrase that emphasizes the melancholic mood of the song. The piano accompaniment is sparse, with occasional chords and arpeggios that support the singer's voice. The middle section of the song is in the key of B-flat major and provides a contrast to the opening section. The melody is more upbeat and optimistic, with a rising phrase that reflects the poem's description of a "happy moment." The piano accompaniment is more active, with a flowing arpeggio that supports the singer's voice. The closing section returns to the opening key of G minor and repeats the melody of the opening section. The piano accompaniment is more active, with a rising arpeggio that builds to a climax before resolving to the final chord. Overall, "How fair this spot" is a beautiful and poignant song that showcases Rachmaninov's gift for melody and his ability to capture the emotional depth of a poem in his music.

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