Composer

:

Benjamin Britten

Genre

:

Vocal

Style

:

Vocal Music

Compose Date

:

1957

Average_duration

:

10:21

Movement_count

:

6

Movement ....

Benjamin Britten's 'Songs from the Chinese, Op. 58' is a song cycle composed for high voice and guitar. The work was composed in 1957 and premiered on 14th October 1958 at the Wigmore Hall in London. The cycle consists of six songs, each based on a poem from the collection '300 Tang Poems' by Wang Jian. The first song, 'The Big Chariot', is a lively and rhythmic piece that showcases the virtuosity of the guitar. The second song, 'The Old Lute', is a more introspective piece that features a haunting melody and delicate guitar accompaniment. The third song, 'The Autumn Wind', is a lively and playful piece that captures the spirit of the season. The fourth song, 'The Herd-Boy', is a tender and lyrical piece that tells the story of a young boy tending his flock. The fifth song, 'Depression', is a melancholic piece that explores the darker emotions of the human experience. The final song, 'Dance Song', is a lively and celebratory piece that brings the cycle to a joyful conclusion. Britten's setting of the Chinese poems is characterized by his use of modal harmonies and intricate guitar accompaniments. The guitar is given equal importance to the voice, and the two instruments often engage in a dialogue throughout the cycle. The vocal writing is also notable for its use of extended techniques, such as glissandi and sprechgesang, which add to the expressive range of the work. Overall, 'Songs from the Chinese, Op. 58' is a beautiful and evocative song cycle that showcases Britten's skill as a composer and his ability to create music that is both deeply personal and universal in its appeal.

More....