Composer

:

Gerald Finzi

Genre

:

Vocal

Style

:

Vocal Music

Average_duration

:

2:54

Let us garlands bring, Op. 18: No. 5, It was a lover and his lass is a song composed by Gerald Finzi in 1942. It was premiered in 1943 by the baritone Roy Henderson and the composer himself on the piano. The song is part of a song cycle titled Let us garlands bring, which consists of five songs based on texts by William Shakespeare. It was a lover and his lass is the final song of the cycle and is set to the text from Act V, Scene 3 of Shakespeare's play As You Like It. The song is in the key of G major and is in a lively and playful tempo. The song is in a simple A-B-A form, with the A section being repeated twice and the B section being a contrasting middle section. The song is characterized by its lively and playful melody, which is supported by a bouncy piano accompaniment. The vocal line is also playful and light-hearted, with the singer portraying the character of a lover who is trying to woo his beloved. The song is full of energy and optimism, with the lover expressing his joy and excitement at the prospect of being with his beloved. The song is also notable for its use of word painting, with the music reflecting the meaning of the text. For example, the line "With a hey, and a ho, and a hey nonino" is set to a lively and rhythmic melody, which captures the playful and carefree spirit of the lovers. Overall, It was a lover and his lass is a charming and delightful song, which captures the joy and excitement of young love. It is a testament to Finzi's skill as a composer, and his ability to bring Shakespeare's words to life through music.

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