Composer

:

John Ireland

Genre

:

Vocal

Style

:

Vocal Music

Compose Date

:

1918

Average_duration

:

1:49

John Ireland's "Spring Sorrow" is a song cycle composed in 1917, with lyrics by Rupert Brooke. The premiere of the piece was in 1918, performed by the tenor Gervase Elwes and the composer himself on the piano. The cycle consists of four movements, each depicting a different aspect of the sorrow and melancholy that can come with the arrival of spring. The first movement, "Day that I have loved," is a slow and mournful piece that sets the tone for the rest of the cycle. The lyrics describe the speaker's feelings of loss and despair, as they mourn the passing of a loved one. The music is somber and reflective, with a haunting melody that lingers in the mind long after the piece has ended. The second movement, "When I am dead," is a more upbeat and hopeful piece, despite its title. The lyrics describe the speaker's desire to be remembered after they have passed away, and the music reflects this sentiment with a lively and energetic melody. The piano accompaniment is particularly lively, with a bouncy rhythm that adds to the sense of optimism. The third movement, "The Lent Lily," is a slower and more contemplative piece, with a delicate and fragile melody that perfectly captures the fragile beauty of the titular flower. The lyrics describe the speaker's feelings of isolation and loneliness, as they watch the world around them come to life with the arrival of spring. The music is haunting and ethereal, with a sense of longing that is both poignant and beautiful. The final movement, "The Treasure," is a more complex and layered piece, with a rich and intricate melody that builds to a powerful climax. The lyrics describe the speaker's search for meaning and purpose in life, and the music reflects this with a sense of urgency and intensity. The piano accompaniment is particularly impressive, with a complex and intricate rhythm that adds to the sense of drama and tension. Overall, "Spring Sorrow" is a beautiful and haunting piece of music that perfectly captures the bittersweet emotions that can come with the arrival of spring. The music is both melancholy and hopeful, with a sense of longing and yearning that is both poignant and powerful. It is a testament to John Ireland's skill as a composer, and a fitting tribute to the poetry of Rupert Brooke.

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