Composer

:

Modest Mussorgsky

Genre

:

Vocal

Style

:

Song Cycle

Compose Date

:

1875

Publication Date

:

1882

Average_duration

:

5:06

"Death's Cradle-Song" is a song composed by Modest Mussorgsky in 1875. It was premiered in the same year in St. Petersburg, Russia. The song is part of a larger song cycle called "Songs and Dances of Death," which Mussorgsky composed between 1875 and 1877. "Death's Cradle-Song" is the third song in the cycle and is written for a bass voice and piano accompaniment. The song is in the key of A minor and is marked "Lento lugubre" (slow and mournful) in tempo. The song is divided into three sections, each with its own distinct character. The first section of the song is marked "Misterioso" (mysterious) and is characterized by a haunting melody in the piano accompaniment. The bass voice enters with a low, mournful melody that sets the tone for the rest of the song. The lyrics describe Death as a mother rocking her child to sleep in a cradle made of bones. The second section of the song is marked "Andante" (moderately slow) and is more lyrical in character. The melody is more flowing and the piano accompaniment is more active. The lyrics describe Death singing a lullaby to her child, promising to take care of it and protect it from harm. The final section of the song is marked "Lento" (slow) and returns to the mournful character of the opening section. The melody is simple and repetitive, with the bass voice singing the same phrase over and over again. The lyrics describe Death's child falling asleep in her arms, as she continues to rock it in her cradle made of bones. Overall, "Death's Cradle-Song" is a haunting and melancholy piece that captures the somber mood of the larger song cycle. The use of a bass voice and the mournful piano accompaniment create a sense of foreboding and sadness, while the lyrics paint a vivid picture of Death as a mother caring for her child.

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