Composer

:

Ivor Gurney

Genre

:

Vocal

Style

:

Vocal Music

Compose Date

:

1914

Average_duration

:

4:12

'The Twa Corbies' is a song composed by Ivor Gurney, an English poet and composer, in 1917. The song is based on a traditional Scottish ballad and was premiered in 1920. It is a part of Gurney's song cycle 'Five Elizabethan Songs' and is considered one of his most popular compositions. The song is divided into three movements, each depicting a different scene. The first movement begins with the two corbies, or ravens, discussing the death of a knight and the feast they will have on his flesh. The second movement describes the knight's lover, who is mourning his death and wishing to join him in death. The final movement depicts the knight's hounds, who are also mourning his death and refusing to eat. Gurney's composition of 'The Twa Corbies' is characterized by its haunting melody and use of dissonance. The song is set in a minor key, which adds to its melancholic tone. Gurney's use of chromaticism and unexpected harmonies also adds to the eerie atmosphere of the song. Overall, 'The Twa Corbies' is a powerful and evocative composition that showcases Gurney's skill as a composer. Its haunting melody and use of dissonance make it a memorable addition to the canon of English art songs.

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