Composer

:

Herbert Hughes

Genre

:

Vocal

Style

:

Vocal Music

Average_duration

:

1:43

"The Stuttering Lovers" is a song cycle composed by Herbert Hughes, an Irish composer, pianist, and musicologist. The cycle was composed in 1914 and premiered in the same year. It consists of six movements, each of which is a setting of a poem by the Irish poet Padraic Colum. The first movement, "The Stuttering Lovers," sets the scene for the cycle. It is a playful and lighthearted song that introduces the two lovers who stutter when they speak to each other. The second movement, "The Brightness of Her Cheeks," is a tender and romantic song that describes the beauty of the woman's cheeks. The third movement, "The Lovers' Tryst," is a lively and energetic song that depicts the lovers' meeting in a secret place. The fourth movement, "The Lover's Complaint," is a melancholic and introspective song in which the man laments the fact that he cannot express his love for the woman. The fifth movement, "The Lover's Farewell," is a poignant and emotional song in which the man says goodbye to the woman as he leaves to fight in a war. The final movement, "The Lover's Return," is a joyful and triumphant song in which the man returns from the war and is reunited with the woman. The music of "The Stuttering Lovers" is characterized by its simplicity and lyricism. Hughes' use of folk melodies and modal harmonies gives the cycle a distinctly Irish flavor. The piano accompaniment is also notable for its delicate and understated nature, allowing the vocal melodies to take center stage. Overall, "The Stuttering Lovers" is a charming and evocative song cycle that captures the essence of Irish folk music and poetry. Its themes of love, longing, and separation are universal and timeless, making it a beloved work of art that continues to be performed and enjoyed to this day.

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