Composer

:

Franz Joseph Haydn

Genre

:

Vocal

Style

:

Vocal Music

Compose Date

:

before 1792

Average_duration

:

2:14

'How long and dreary is the night, H. 31a/67' is a choral work composed by Franz Joseph Haydn. The piece was composed in 1794 and premiered in the same year in Vienna. It is a setting of a text by the English poet William Cowper. The work is divided into three movements. The first movement is a slow and mournful introduction, with the choir singing the words "How long and dreary is the night". The second movement is a lively and joyful section, with the choir singing "But lo! the morning shines". The final movement is a return to the slow and mournful mood of the first movement, with the choir singing "Thus I, who once my faith professed". The work is characterized by Haydn's use of simple, yet effective harmonies and melodies. The slow and mournful sections are marked by a sense of longing and sadness, while the lively sections are marked by a sense of hope and joy. The work is also notable for its use of dynamic contrasts, with the choir alternating between soft and loud passages. Overall, 'How long and dreary is the night, H. 31a/67' is a beautiful and moving choral work that showcases Haydn's skill as a composer. Its themes of longing, hope, and faith are timeless and continue to resonate with audiences today.

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