Composer

:

Daryl Runswick

Genre

:

Choral

Style

:

Choral

Average_duration

:

4:02

English Folksongs (5) No. 2, She moved through the fair is a contemporary choral composition by Daryl Runswick. The piece was composed in 1975 and premiered in the same year. It is a part of a collection of five English folksongs arranged for choir by Runswick. The piece is a setting of the traditional Irish ballad "She Moved Through the Fair". The song tells the story of a young man who sees his lover moving through the fair, but she is already dead. The melody is haunting and melancholic, and Runswick's arrangement captures the mournful quality of the song. The piece is divided into three movements. The first movement is slow and mournful, with the choir singing the melody in unison. The second movement is more rhythmic, with the choir singing in harmony and the piano providing a driving accompaniment. The final movement returns to the slow, mournful quality of the first movement, with the choir singing the melody in harmony and the piano providing a gentle accompaniment. One of the characteristics of Runswick's arrangement is the use of close harmonies and dissonance to create a sense of tension and unease. The piece also features a range of dynamics, from the quiet, introspective opening to the powerful climax of the second movement. Overall, English Folksongs (5) No. 2, She moved through the fair is a haunting and beautiful choral composition that captures the mournful quality of the traditional Irish ballad. Runswick's arrangement is a testament to the enduring power of folk music and its ability to inspire contemporary composers.

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