Composer

:

John Ireland

Genre

:

Vocal

Style

:

Vocal Music

Compose Date

:

1926

John Ireland's 'Songs (3), for voice & piano' was composed in 1926. The work premiered in the same year and consists of three movements. The first movement is titled 'When I am Dead, My Dearest' and is a setting of Christina Rossetti's poem of the same name. The second movement is titled 'The Encounter' and is a setting of Robert Bridges' poem. The final movement is titled 'Earth's Call' and is a setting of John Masefield's poem. The first movement, 'When I am Dead, My Dearest', is a melancholic and introspective piece. The piano accompaniment is sparse and delicate, allowing the voice to take center stage. The vocal line is lyrical and expressive, with a sense of longing and resignation. The poem speaks of the speaker's desire for their loved one to remember them after they have passed away. The second movement, 'The Encounter', is a more dramatic and intense piece. The piano accompaniment is more complex and driving, creating a sense of urgency and tension. The vocal line is more declamatory, with a sense of anger and frustration. The poem speaks of a chance encounter between two former lovers, and the emotions that arise from this meeting. The final movement, 'Earth's Call', is a more optimistic and uplifting piece. The piano accompaniment is more rhythmic and energetic, creating a sense of movement and vitality. The vocal line is more expansive and soaring, with a sense of hope and renewal. The poem speaks of the beauty and power of nature, and the sense of connection and belonging that comes from being a part of it. Overall, John Ireland's 'Songs (3), for voice & piano' is a beautiful and evocative work. The three movements each have their own distinct character and mood, but they are united by Ireland's sensitive and expressive musical language. The work is a testament to Ireland's skill as a composer of art songs, and it remains a beloved part of the vocal repertoire to this day.

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