Composer

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Arthur Somervell

Genre

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Keyboard

Style

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Keyboard

Average_duration

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1:51

'Into my heart an air that kills' is a song composed by Arthur Somervell, a British composer, pianist, and teacher. The song was composed in 1904 and premiered in the same year. It is a part of a song cycle titled 'A Shropshire Lad', which is based on a collection of poems by A.E. Housman. The song has a slow and melancholic tempo, with a simple and repetitive piano accompaniment. The vocal line is expressive and emotive, with a range of dynamics and phrasing that convey the sense of longing and despair in the lyrics. The song is in the key of G minor and has a time signature of 4/4. The song has two distinct movements. The first movement is slow and mournful, with a sense of resignation and acceptance of the inevitability of death. The lyrics describe the feeling of being consumed by a deadly air that fills the heart and soul, leading to a slow and painful death. The second movement is more intense and dramatic, with a sense of anger and frustration at the unfairness of life. The lyrics describe the feeling of being trapped in a world that is full of pain and suffering, with no hope of escape. The characteristics of the song reflect the themes of the poem, which are centered around the transience of life and the inevitability of death. The song is a poignant reflection on the fragility of human existence and the struggle to find meaning and purpose in a world that is full of suffering and pain. The simple and repetitive piano accompaniment serves to emphasize the sense of despair and hopelessness in the lyrics, while the expressive and emotive vocal line conveys the sense of longing and yearning for something more. Overall, 'Into my heart an air that kills' is a powerful and moving song that captures the essence of the human experience in a profound and meaningful way. It is a testament to the enduring power of music to express the deepest emotions and feelings of the human soul.

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