Composer

:

Arthur Somervell

Genre

:

Vocal

Style

:

Vocal Music

Average_duration

:

2:06

'Loveliest of trees' is a song composed by Arthur Somervell in 1896. It is a part of his song cycle titled 'A Shropshire Lad', which is based on the poems of A.E. Housman. The song cycle consists of 63 poems, and Somervell chose 12 of them to set to music. 'Loveliest of trees' is the second song in the cycle. The song has a simple structure and is written in the key of G major. It has a moderate tempo and is in 4/4 time. The melody is lyrical and flowing, with a gentle rise and fall. The accompaniment is sparse, with a few chords played on the piano to support the voice. The lyrics of the song are about the beauty of nature and the fleeting nature of life. The narrator of the poem is a young man who is admiring the cherry blossoms in spring. He realizes that he is only 20 years old and that he has only 50 years left to live. He feels a sense of urgency to enjoy life and appreciate its beauty while he still can. The song has three verses, each with a different melody. The first verse is sung softly and gently, with a sense of wonder and awe. The second verse is more intense, with a stronger melody and a sense of urgency. The third verse is a repeat of the first verse, but with a slightly different melody and a more wistful tone. 'Loveliest of trees' premiered in 1896 and quickly became one of Somervell's most popular songs. It has been performed by many singers and has been recorded numerous times. The song is known for its simple beauty and its ability to capture the fleeting nature of life. It is a timeless classic that continues to be loved by audiences today.

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