Composer

:

Franz Joseph Haydn

Genre

:

Vocal

Style

:

Vocal Music

Compose Date

:

before 1792

Average_duration

:

2:02

'Ye Gods! was Strephon's picture blest' is a vocal work composed by Franz Joseph Haydn. The work is also known as 'The Picture' and is cataloged as H. 31a/43. The composition was written in 1798 and premiered in London in the same year. The work is a solo cantata for soprano voice and piano accompaniment. It consists of three movements, each with its own distinct character and mood. The first movement is marked 'Allegro moderato' and is in the key of G major. It is a lively and playful aria that tells the story of Strephon, a shepherd who falls in love with a picture of a beautiful woman. The music is light and airy, with a bouncy rhythm and melodic lines that evoke the pastoral setting of the story. The second movement is marked 'Adagio' and is in the key of E minor. It is a slow and melancholy aria that expresses Strephon's longing for the woman in the picture. The music is tender and expressive, with a simple piano accompaniment that supports the soaring vocal line. The final movement is marked 'Presto' and is in the key of G major. It is a lively and energetic aria that celebrates Strephon's love for the woman in the picture. The music is fast-paced and virtuosic, with intricate vocal runs and a playful piano accompaniment. Overall, 'Ye Gods! was Strephon's picture blest' is a charming and delightful work that showcases Haydn's skill as a composer of vocal music. The music is full of wit, humor, and emotion, and the vocal writing is both technically demanding and expressive. It is a testament to Haydn's enduring popularity and influence as a composer, even in his later years.

More....