Composer

:

Ian Venables

Genre

:

Vocal

Style

:

Vocal Music

'A Kiss, Op. 15' is a song cycle composed by Ian Venables, a British composer known for his vocal music. The cycle was composed in 1993 and premiered in the same year at the Cheltenham Festival. It consists of five movements, each of which sets a poem by a different poet. The first movement, 'A Kiss', sets a poem by Rupert Brooke. It is a gentle and tender love song, with a flowing melody and delicate piano accompaniment. The second movement, 'The Night has a Thousand Eyes', sets a poem by Francis William Bourdillon. It is a haunting and atmospheric piece, with a sense of mystery and longing. The third movement, 'The Cloths of Heaven', sets a poem by W.B. Yeats. It is a beautiful and lyrical setting, with a soaring melody and rich harmonies. The fourth movement, 'The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock', sets a poem by T.S. Eliot. It is a complex and introspective piece, with shifting moods and textures that reflect the poem's themes of alienation and disillusionment. The final movement, 'When You Are Old', sets a poem by W.B. Yeats. It is a poignant and nostalgic setting, with a simple and heartfelt melody that captures the poem's sense of regret and longing. Overall, 'A Kiss, Op. 15' is a beautifully crafted song cycle that showcases Venables' skill as a composer of vocal music. The cycle is characterized by its rich harmonies, lyrical melodies, and sensitive piano accompaniments, which combine to create a deeply expressive and emotional work.

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