Composer

:

Edward Elgar

Genre

:

Choral

Style

:

Part Song

Compose Date

:

1890

Average_duration

:

7:35

Movement_count

:

3

Movement ....

Edward Elgar's 'Partsongs (3), Op. 18' is a collection of three choral works composed in 1894. The pieces were premiered in Worcester, England on October 17, 1894, by the Worcester Vocal Union. The three movements are titled "My Love Dwelt in a Northern Land," "The Snow," and "As Torrents in Summer." The first movement, "My Love Dwelt in a Northern Land," is a setting of a poem by Andrew Lang. The piece is in a minor key and features a haunting melody that is passed between the different voice parts. The text describes a lost love and the longing for their return. Elgar's use of dissonance and chromaticism adds to the melancholic mood of the piece. The second movement, "The Snow," is a setting of a poem by Edward Capern. The piece is in a major key and features a lively, dance-like rhythm. The text describes the beauty of snowfall and the joy it brings. Elgar's use of word painting is evident in the way he sets the text, with the voices imitating the sound of falling snow. The final movement, "As Torrents in Summer," is a setting of a poem by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. The piece is in a major key and features a fast-paced, flowing melody. The text describes the power and beauty of summer storms. Elgar's use of dynamic contrast and rhythmic variation adds to the excitement of the piece. Overall, Elgar's 'Partsongs (3), Op. 18' showcases his skill in setting poetry to music and his ability to create a variety of moods and textures through choral writing. The collection is a testament to Elgar's early success as a composer and his growing reputation as a leading figure in British music.

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