Composer

:

Valery Gavrilin

Genre

:

Vocal

Style

:

Vocal Music

Compose Date

:

1971

Average_duration

:

4:22

Valery Gavrilin's "Songs of Ophelia (2), No. 2, They Bore Him Barefaced on the Brier" is a hauntingly beautiful piece of music that was composed in 1977. The piece was premiered in Moscow in the same year and has since become one of Gavrilin's most popular works. The piece is part of a larger work called "Songs of Ophelia," which is a cycle of songs based on the character of Ophelia from Shakespeare's play "Hamlet." "They Bore Him Barefaced on the Brier" is the second song in the cycle and is based on the scene in which Ophelia discovers that her lover, Hamlet, has killed her father. The piece is divided into three movements, each of which is characterized by a different mood and tempo. The first movement is slow and mournful, with a simple melody that is repeated throughout. The second movement is faster and more intense, with a driving rhythm and a sense of urgency. The final movement returns to the slower tempo of the first, but with a more complex melody that builds to a powerful climax. One of the most striking characteristics of "They Bore Him Barefaced on the Brier" is its use of vocalization. The piece is written for a solo voice, but the singer is not required to sing any words. Instead, the voice is used as an instrument, with the singer producing a range of sounds and vocalizations that add to the emotional impact of the music. Overall, "They Bore Him Barefaced on the Brier" is a powerful and moving piece of music that showcases Gavrilin's skill as a composer. Its haunting melody and use of vocalization make it a unique and memorable addition to the repertoire of contemporary classical music.

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