Composer

:

Stephen Dodgson

Genre

:

Vocal

Average_duration

:

10:48

Movement_count

:

4

Movement ....

Stephen Dodgson's "Poems (4) of John Clare" is a song cycle composed for voice and guitar. The cycle was composed in 1970 and premiered in the same year. The four movements of the cycle are "The Badger," "The Nightingale's Nest," "The Snipe," and "The Yellowhammer's Nest." The cycle is characterized by Dodgson's use of the guitar as a prominent voice in the music. The guitar is used to create a pastoral atmosphere that complements the nature-themed poetry of John Clare. The vocal line is often lyrical and expressive, with a focus on the text and its meaning. "The Badger" is a slow and mournful movement that reflects the sadness of the poem's subject matter. The guitar provides a somber accompaniment to the vocal line, which is sung in a low register. The movement ends with a haunting guitar solo that captures the loneliness of the badger's life. "The Nightingale's Nest" is a more upbeat movement that captures the joy and beauty of the nightingale's song. The guitar provides a lively accompaniment to the vocal line, which is sung in a higher register. The movement ends with a virtuosic guitar solo that mimics the nightingale's trills and runs. "The Snipe" is a playful and energetic movement that captures the flight and movement of the snipe. The guitar provides a rhythmic accompaniment to the vocal line, which is sung in a staccato style. The movement ends with a lively guitar solo that captures the snipe's darting flight. "The Yellowhammer's Nest" is a gentle and reflective movement that captures the beauty and fragility of the yellowhammer's nest. The guitar provides a delicate accompaniment to the vocal line, which is sung in a soft and tender style. The movement ends with a gentle guitar solo that captures the fragility of the yellowhammer's nest. Overall, Dodgson's "Poems (4) of John Clare" is a beautiful and evocative song cycle that captures the beauty and wonder of nature. The cycle is characterized by Dodgson's use of the guitar as a prominent voice in the music, and his focus on the text and its meaning.

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