Composer

:

Henry Purcell

Genre

:

Vocal

Style

:

Song: Art Song

Compose Date

:

1689

Average_duration

:

2:19

"Oft she visits this lone mountain" is a song composed by Henry Purcell, one of the most prominent English composers of the Baroque era. The song was composed in the late 17th century and was first performed in London in 1692. It is part of a larger work called "The Fairy Queen," which is a semi-opera based on William Shakespeare's play "A Midsummer Night's Dream." The song is written for a solo soprano voice and is accompanied by a basso continuo, which consists of a harpsichord and a cello. The song is in the key of D minor and has a slow and melancholic tempo. It is divided into three sections, each with its own distinct melody and mood. The first section begins with a descending melody that sets the tone for the rest of the song. The soprano sings of a lonely mountain that is visited by a mysterious woman. The music is haunting and ethereal, with the basso continuo providing a simple and repetitive accompaniment. The second section is more lively and features a more complex melody. The soprano sings of the woman's beauty and grace, and the music reflects this with its intricate and ornate phrases. The basso continuo provides a more active accompaniment, with the harpsichord playing a series of arpeggios and the cello providing a steady pulse. The final section returns to the melancholic mood of the first section. The soprano sings of the woman's departure and the sadness that it brings. The music is simple and understated, with the basso continuo providing a gentle and mournful accompaniment. Overall, "Oft she visits this lone mountain" is a beautiful and haunting song that showcases Purcell's skill as a composer. Its melancholic melody and ethereal atmosphere make it a perfect example of the Baroque era's emphasis on emotion and expression.

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