Composer

:

Otto Luening

Genre

:

Vocal

Style

:

Vocal Music

Compose Date

:

1949

Average_duration

:

2:26

Otto Luening's "Love's Secret" is a composition for soprano and piano, composed in 1949. The piece was premiered on May 3, 1950, at the Town Hall in New York City, with soprano Eileen Farrell and pianist Leo Smit. The composition consists of three movements, each based on a poem by William Blake. The first movement, "Love's Secret," is a slow and expressive piece that sets the tone for the entire work. The second movement, "The Sick Rose," is a more dramatic and intense piece, with the soprano singing in a higher register and the piano playing more aggressively. The final movement, "The Garden of Love," is a more upbeat and lively piece, with the soprano singing in a more playful and joyful manner. The characteristics of "Love's Secret" are typical of Luening's style, which is characterized by a blend of traditional and modern elements. The piece is tonal, with clear melodic lines and harmonies, but also incorporates dissonant and atonal elements. The piano part is often complex and virtuosic, while the vocal part is expressive and lyrical. Overall, "Love's Secret" is a beautiful and engaging work that showcases Luening's skill as a composer and his ability to blend different musical styles and techniques. It remains a popular piece in the repertoire of contemporary classical music.

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