Composer

:

Virgil Thomson

Genre

:

Vocal

Style

:

Vocal Music

Compose Date

:

1951

Average_duration

:

8:39

Movement_count

:

4

Movement ....

Virgil Thomson's 'Four Songs to Poems of Thomas Campion' is a chamber music composition for mezzo-soprano, clarinet, harp, and viola. The piece was composed in 1950 and premiered on March 6, 1951, at the Town Hall in New York City. The four movements of the piece are titled "There is a Garden in Her Face," "Follow Your Saint," "When to Her Lute Corinna Sings," and "Beauty is but a Painted Hell." The first movement, "There is a Garden in Her Face," is a lively and playful piece that showcases the mezzo-soprano's range and agility. The clarinet and viola provide a light and airy accompaniment, while the harp adds a delicate touch to the overall sound. The second movement, "Follow Your Saint," is a slower and more contemplative piece. The mezzo-soprano sings of the importance of following one's own path in life, while the clarinet and viola provide a mournful and introspective accompaniment. The harp adds a sense of ethereal beauty to the piece. The third movement, "When to Her Lute Corinna Sings," is a lively and rhythmic piece that showcases the mezzo-soprano's ability to sing in a more playful and flirtatious style. The clarinet and viola provide a lively and energetic accompaniment, while the harp adds a sense of whimsy to the overall sound. The final movement, "Beauty is but a Painted Hell," is a slower and more somber piece that explores the darker side of beauty. The mezzo-soprano sings of the fleeting nature of physical beauty, while the clarinet and viola provide a mournful and melancholic accompaniment. The harp adds a sense of otherworldly beauty to the piece. Overall, 'Four Songs to Poems of Thomas Campion' is a beautiful and evocative chamber music composition that showcases the talents of the mezzo-soprano, clarinet, harp, and viola. The four movements explore a range of emotions and themes, from playful and flirtatious to introspective and melancholic. The piece is a testament to Virgil Thomson's skill as a composer and his ability to create music that is both beautiful and thought-provoking.

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