Composer

:

Peter Croton

Genre

:

Vocal

Style

:

Vocal Music

'Now, O now I needs must part' is a contemporary composition by Peter Croton, a Swiss-American lutenist, guitarist, and composer. The piece was composed in 2015 and premiered on May 22, 2016, at the Teatro Accademico in Castelfranco Veneto, Italy, as part of the "Lute Songs of John Dowland and his Contemporaries" concert. The composition is a setting of the famous poem by John Dowland, a renowned English Renaissance composer and lutenist. The poem is a lament of a lover who must part from his beloved, and it expresses the pain and sorrow of separation. Croton's setting captures the emotional intensity of the poem through its haunting melody and melancholic harmonies. The piece consists of three movements, each of which explores a different aspect of the poem's theme. The first movement is marked "Lento" and is characterized by a slow, mournful melody played on the lute. The second movement, marked "Allegro," is more upbeat and features a lively guitar accompaniment that contrasts with the melancholic melody. The final movement, marked "Adagio," returns to the slow, mournful mood of the first movement and brings the piece to a poignant conclusion. Croton's composition is notable for its use of both the lute and the guitar, which creates a unique blend of Renaissance and contemporary styles. The piece also showcases Croton's virtuosic playing on both instruments, as well as his skill as a composer. Overall, 'Now, O now I needs must part' is a beautiful and moving tribute to John Dowland's timeless poem, and a testament to the enduring power of Renaissance music.

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