Composer

:

Lennox Berkeley

Genre

:

Vocal

Style

:

Vocal Music

Compose Date

:

1971

Average_duration

:

10:27

Movement_count

:

5

Movement ....

Lennox Berkeley's 'Chinese Songs (5), Op. 78' is a song cycle composed for voice and piano. The cycle was composed in 1969 and premiered in the same year. The cycle consists of five movements, each of which is based on a Chinese poem. The poems are translated into English by Arthur Waley. The first movement, 'The Autumn Wind', is a slow and melancholic piece that captures the essence of autumn. The second movement, 'The Herd-Boy', is a lively and playful piece that tells the story of a young boy who tends to his flock of sheep. The third movement, 'The Girl from Yueh', is a romantic and lyrical piece that tells the story of a girl from the ancient Chinese state of Yueh. The fourth movement, 'The Old Lute', is a nostalgic and reflective piece that tells the story of an old lute that has been passed down through generations. The final movement, 'The Returning Hunter', is a dramatic and intense piece that tells the story of a hunter who returns home after a long journey. The cycle is characterized by its use of traditional Chinese melodies and rhythms. Berkeley's use of these elements gives the cycle a distinctly Chinese flavor. The cycle also showcases Berkeley's skill as a composer, as he is able to capture the essence of each poem through his music. Overall, 'Chinese Songs (5), Op. 78' is a beautiful and evocative song cycle that showcases Berkeley's skill as a composer. The cycle's use of traditional Chinese elements gives it a unique flavor, and its five movements each tell a compelling story.

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