Composer

:

Benjamin Britten

Genre

:

Vocal

Style

:

Vocal Music

Compose Date

:

1965

Average_duration

:

23:58

Movement_count

:

7

Movement ....

'Songs and Proverbs of W. Blake, Op. 74' is a song cycle composed by Benjamin Britten in 1965. The premiere of the work was given by Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau and Benjamin Britten at the Aldeburgh Festival on June 17, 1965. The cycle consists of ten songs, each of which sets a different poem by William Blake. The first movement, "Proverb I," is a short, pithy statement that sets the tone for the rest of the cycle. The second movement, "London," is a bleak and haunting depiction of the city, with a driving, repetitive piano accompaniment that underscores the sense of oppression and despair in the text. The third movement, "The Chimney Sweeper," is a poignant and tender setting of one of Blake's most famous poems, with a simple, childlike melody that belies the darkness of the subject matter. The fourth movement, "Proverb II," is another short statement, this time with a more hopeful and optimistic tone. The fifth movement, "A Poison Tree," is a chilling and unsettling depiction of anger and revenge, with a jagged, dissonant piano accompaniment that underscores the violence of the text. The sixth movement, "The Tyger," is a powerful and majestic setting of one of Blake's most iconic poems, with a driving, rhythmic piano accompaniment that evokes the fierce energy of the tiger. The seventh movement, "Proverb III," is a brief and enigmatic statement that leaves the listener with a sense of mystery and ambiguity. The eighth movement, "The Fly," is a delicate and haunting setting of a poem that explores the fragility and transience of life. The ninth movement, "Ah! Sun-flower," is a tender and wistful setting of a poem that expresses a longing for transcendence and spiritual fulfillment. The final movement, "Proverb IV," is a triumphant and exultant statement that brings the cycle to a close on a note of hope and optimism. Throughout the cycle, Britten's music is characterized by its sensitivity to the nuances of Blake's poetry, its vivid and evocative use of piano accompaniment, and its ability to capture the emotional complexity and depth of Blake's vision.

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