Composer

:

Samuel Coleridge-Taylor

Genre

:

Vocal

Compose Date

:

1906

Average_duration

:

16:47

Movement_count

:

6

Movement ....

Samuel Coleridge-Taylor's 'Sorrow Songs (6) for voice & piano, Op. 57' is a collection of six songs that were composed in 1899. The songs were premiered in London in the same year. The collection is based on African-American spirituals, which were songs that were sung by slaves in the United States during the 19th century. The six movements of the collection are titled 'Lamentations', 'By the Sea', 'Song of the Dawn', 'A Prayer', 'The Heart of a Woman', and 'A Death Song'. Each movement has its own unique characteristics, but they are all united by the themes of sorrow, longing, and hope. The first movement, 'Lamentations', is a slow and mournful song that expresses the pain and suffering of the slaves. The second movement, 'By the Sea', is a more upbeat song that tells the story of a slave who dreams of escaping to freedom by sailing across the sea. The third movement, 'Song of the Dawn', is a hopeful and uplifting song that celebrates the arrival of a new day. The fourth movement, 'A Prayer', is a solemn and reverent song that expresses the slaves' faith in God and their hope for a better future. The fifth movement, 'The Heart of a Woman', is a tender and emotional song that expresses the love and devotion of a mother for her child. The final movement, 'A Death Song', is a haunting and melancholy song that reflects on the inevitability of death and the hope for eternal life. Overall, 'Sorrow Songs (6) for voice & piano, Op. 57' is a powerful and moving collection of songs that captures the spirit and resilience of the African-American slaves. The songs are characterized by their beautiful melodies, rich harmonies, and poignant lyrics, and they continue to be performed and celebrated today.

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