Composer

:

Samuel Coleridge-Taylor

Genre

:

Miscellaneous

Style

:

Miscellaneous

Average_duration

:

3:26

"She Rested by the Broken Brook" is a beautiful art song composed by Samuel Coleridge-Taylor, a British composer of African descent. The song was composed in 1898 and premiered in the same year. It is a part of his song cycle "African Romances," which consists of six songs. The song is written for a solo voice and piano accompaniment. It has a slow and melancholic tempo, which perfectly captures the mood of the lyrics. The lyrics are written by Paul Laurence Dunbar, an African-American poet, and describe a woman resting by a broken brook, lost in her thoughts. The song has two distinct movements. The first movement is slow and introspective, with the piano playing a simple and repetitive melody. The vocal line is also simple, with long sustained notes that convey a sense of sadness and longing. The second movement is more lively and upbeat, with the piano playing a more complex and rhythmic melody. The vocal line is also more dynamic, with the singer using a wider range of notes and more expressive phrasing. One of the characteristics of Coleridge-Taylor's music is his use of African rhythms and melodies. In "She Rested by the Broken Brook," he incorporates elements of African music into the piano accompaniment, giving the song a unique and exotic flavor. He also uses chromatic harmonies and unexpected chord progressions, which add to the emotional intensity of the music. Overall, "She Rested by the Broken Brook" is a beautiful and haunting song that showcases Coleridge-Taylor's talent as a composer. It is a testament to his ability to blend different musical styles and create something truly original and moving.

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