Composer

:

Benjamin Britten

Genre

:

Vocal

Style

:

Vocal Music

Average_duration

:

3:39

"The Trees They Grow So High" is a song cycle composed by Benjamin Britten in 1942. The piece was premiered on 22nd October 1942 at the National Gallery in London, with Britten accompanying the singer, Peter Pears, on the piano. The song cycle consists of eight movements, each of which is based on a traditional English folk song. The first movement, "The Salley Gardens," is a gentle and melancholic song that sets the tone for the rest of the cycle. The second movement, "The Ash Grove," is more upbeat and lively, with a playful piano accompaniment. The third movement, "The Trees They Grow So High," is the title track of the cycle and is a hauntingly beautiful song that showcases Britten's skill at setting text to music. The fourth movement, "The Sweet Primroses," is a tender and delicate song that features a simple piano accompaniment. The fifth movement, "The Bonny Earl O'Moray," is a tragic ballad that tells the story of a Scottish nobleman who is murdered by his jealous cousin. The sixth movement, "The Last Rose of Summer," is a mournful and reflective song that features a sparse piano accompaniment. The seventh movement, "The Plough Boy," is a lively and energetic song that features a jaunty piano accompaniment. The final movement, "The Miller of Dee," is a humorous and playful song that features a lively piano accompaniment and showcases Britten's skill at setting text to music. Overall, "The Trees They Grow So High" is a beautiful and evocative song cycle that showcases Britten's skill at setting traditional English folk songs to music. The cycle is characterized by its haunting melodies, delicate piano accompaniments, and poignant lyrics, and remains a beloved work in the classical music repertoire.

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