Composer

:

Charles Ives

Genre

:

Vocal

Style

:

Vocal Music

Compose Date

:

1893

Publication Date

:

1993

Average_duration

:

1:53

"Song She is not fair to outward view, S. 354" is a composition by Charles Ives, an American composer known for his experimental and innovative approach to music. The song was composed in 1921 and premiered in 1922. It is a part of Ives' collection of songs titled "114 Songs," which he composed between 1894 and 1924. The song is a setting of a poem by Sir Walter Raleigh, which explores the theme of beauty and its fleeting nature. The poem describes a woman who is not conventionally beautiful but possesses an inner beauty that is far more valuable. Ives' music captures the essence of the poem by using unconventional harmonies and dissonances to create a sense of tension and unease. The song is divided into three movements, each of which explores a different aspect of the poem. The first movement is slow and contemplative, with a simple melody that is accompanied by sparse piano chords. The second movement is more lively and rhythmic, with a syncopated melody that is accompanied by a more complex piano part. The third movement returns to the slower tempo of the first movement, but with a more complex and dissonant harmony that reflects the poem's theme of inner beauty. One of the characteristics of Ives' music is his use of unconventional harmonies and dissonances. In "Song She is not fair to outward view," he uses these techniques to create a sense of tension and unease that reflects the poem's theme. Another characteristic of Ives' music is his use of quotation and collage techniques, which he uses to create a sense of musical history and tradition. While these techniques are not as prominent in this particular song, they are present in many of his other works. Overall, "Song She is not fair to outward view, S. 354" is a beautiful and innovative composition that showcases Ives' unique approach to music. Its unconventional harmonies and dissonances, combined with its exploration of the theme of beauty, make it a fascinating and thought-provoking piece of music.

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