Composer

:

Sally Beamish

Genre

:

Chamber

Style

:

Chamber Music

First Performance

:

May 1996

Average_duration

:

7:23

'Words For My Daughter' is a contemporary classical composition by Scottish composer Sally Beamish. The piece was composed in 2016 and premiered on March 8, 2017, at the Wigmore Hall in London, UK. The composition is a song cycle for mezzo-soprano and piano, with lyrics by the composer's daughter, Stephanie. The piece consists of six movements, each with its own unique character and mood. The first movement, "The Sunlight on the Garden," is a bright and optimistic piece that sets the tone for the rest of the cycle. The second movement, "The Windhover," is a more introspective and contemplative piece, with a haunting melody that is carried by the piano. The third movement, "The Trees," is a gentle and peaceful piece that evokes the beauty of nature. The fourth movement, "The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock," is a setting of T.S. Eliot's famous poem. The music is dark and brooding, with a sense of foreboding that reflects the poem's themes of isolation and despair. The fifth movement, "The Waste Land," is another setting of a T.S. Eliot poem. This movement is more abstract and experimental, with dissonant harmonies and fragmented melodies that reflect the poem's fragmented structure. The final movement, "Words for My Daughter," is a tender and heartfelt piece that brings the cycle to a close. The music is simple and direct, with a melody that is both beautiful and poignant. The lyrics, written by Stephanie Beamish, express a mother's love and hopes for her daughter's future. Overall, 'Words For My Daughter' is a powerful and moving composition that showcases Sally Beamish's skill as a composer. The piece is notable for its use of poetry as a source of inspiration, as well as its ability to evoke a wide range of emotions and moods.

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