Composer

:

Jaakko Mantyjarvi

Genre

:

Choral

Style

:

Choral

Compose Date

:

1984

Average_duration

:

11:47

Movement_count

:

4

Movement ....

Jaakko Mäntyjärvi's "Shakespeare Songs (4)" is a choral work that was composed in 1984. The piece was premiered in the same year by the Tapiola Choir in Finland. The work is divided into four movements, each of which is based on a different Shakespearean text. The first movement, "Come Away, Death," is a setting of a song from Twelfth Night. The piece is characterized by its haunting melody and melancholic harmonies, which reflect the mournful lyrics of the text. The second movement, "Full Fathom Five," is a setting of a song from The Tempest. This movement is more upbeat than the first, with a lively rhythm and playful harmonies that reflect the whimsical nature of the text. The third movement, "Fear No More," is a setting of a song from Cymbeline. This movement is perhaps the most introspective of the four, with a slow, meditative tempo and rich, complex harmonies that reflect the philosophical nature of the text. The final movement, "Sigh No More," is a setting of a song from Much Ado About Nothing. This movement is the most energetic of the four, with a lively tempo and playful harmonies that reflect the joyful nature of the text. Overall, "Shakespeare Songs (4)" is a beautiful and evocative choral work that showcases Mäntyjärvi's skill as a composer. The piece is characterized by its rich harmonies, complex rhythms, and thoughtful use of text painting, which allows the music to reflect the emotional content of the Shakespearean texts.

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