Composer

:

John Playford

Genre

:

Miscellaneous

Style

:

Miscellaneous

Average_duration

:

2:02

"Shepheards Holyday or Labour in Vaine" is a musical composition by John Playford, an English music publisher and bookseller who lived from 1623 to 1686. The piece was first published in 1651 in Playford's collection of dance tunes, "The English Dancing Master." The composition is a set of six dance tunes, or movements, that were intended to be played in sequence. The movements are titled "The Shepheards Holyday," "The Shepheards Resolution," "The Shepheards Joy," "The Shepheards Delight," "The Shepheards Favourite," and "The Shepheards Sonnet." Each movement has its own distinct melody and rhythm, but they are all written in a similar style and are meant to be played together as a suite. The overall character of the piece is light and cheerful, with a pastoral feel that reflects the rural setting of the shepherds' holiday. The melodies are simple and catchy, with a strong emphasis on the downbeat and a lively, danceable rhythm. The instrumentation is typically for a small ensemble of stringed instruments, such as violins, violas, and cellos, with a harpsichord or other keyboard instrument providing the harmonic accompaniment. "Shepheards Holyday or Labour in Vaine" was a popular piece in its time and has remained a favorite of early music enthusiasts to this day. Its simple, catchy melodies and lively rhythms make it a joy to listen to and play, and its pastoral character evokes a sense of peace and tranquility that is still relevant today.

More....