Composer

:

Lennox Berkeley

Genre

:

Vocal

Style

:

Vocal Music

Compose Date

:

1947

Average_duration

:

12:43

Movement_count

:

4

Movement ....

Lennox Berkeley's 'Poems (4) of St. Teresa of Avila, Op. 27' is a song cycle composed for soprano and piano. The work was composed in 1948 and premiered on 17th May 1949 at the Wigmore Hall in London. The cycle consists of four movements, each setting a poem by the 16th-century Spanish mystic and poet, St. Teresa of Avila. The first movement, 'Nada te turbe' (Let nothing disturb you), is a gentle and contemplative setting of St. Teresa's famous poem. The music is characterized by a flowing piano accompaniment and a soaring vocal line that reflects the peaceful and meditative nature of the text. The second movement, 'Vivo sin vivir en mí' (I live without living in myself), is a more dramatic and intense setting. The music is marked by sudden shifts in dynamics and tempo, reflecting the emotional turmoil of the text. The vocal line is highly expressive, with wide leaps and dramatic melodic contours. The third movement, 'Aunque es de noche' (Although it is night), is a haunting and atmospheric setting. The music is characterized by a sparse and ethereal piano accompaniment, with the vocal line floating above it like a ghostly apparition. The text speaks of the darkness and uncertainty of the spiritual journey, and the music captures this mood perfectly. The final movement, 'Nada te espante' (Let nothing frighten you), is a joyful and exuberant setting. The music is marked by a lively and rhythmic piano accompaniment, with the vocal line soaring above it in a series of joyful melodic leaps. The text speaks of the power of faith to overcome fear and doubt, and the music captures this sense of triumph and celebration. Overall, Lennox Berkeley's 'Poems (4) of St. Teresa of Avila, Op. 27' is a beautiful and deeply spiritual work. The music is highly expressive and perfectly captures the mood and meaning of St. Teresa's poetry. It is a testament to Berkeley's skill as a composer and his deep understanding of the human spirit.

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