Composer

:

Ralph Vaughan Williams

Genre

:

Choral

Style

:

Song Collection

Compose Date

:

1951

Average_duration

:

6:23

Movement_count

:

3

Movement ....

Ralph Vaughan Williams' "Shakespeare Songs (3)" is a collection of three songs for voice and piano, composed in 1951. The songs were premiered on May 10, 1951, at the Royal College of Music in London, with tenor Peter Pears and pianist Benjamin Britten performing. The first song, "Full Fathom Five," is a setting of Ariel's song from Act I, Scene 2 of "The Tempest." The music is ethereal and otherworldly, with a haunting melody that captures the mysterious nature of the text. The piano accompaniment is sparse and delicate, adding to the dreamlike quality of the piece. The second song, "The Cloud-Capp'd Towers," is a setting of a speech by Prospero from Act IV, Scene 1 of "The Tempest." The music is more dramatic and intense than the first song, with a driving rhythm and soaring vocal lines that convey the sense of urgency in the text. The piano accompaniment is more complex and virtuosic, adding to the sense of drama and tension. The third song, "Over Hill, Over Dale," is a setting of a song from Act II, Scene 1 of "A Midsummer Night's Dream." The music is light and playful, with a bouncy rhythm and a catchy melody that captures the whimsical nature of the text. The piano accompaniment is lively and energetic, adding to the sense of fun and mischief in the piece. Overall, "Shakespeare Songs (3)" is a beautiful and varied collection of songs that showcases Vaughan Williams' skill as a composer and his deep appreciation for the works of William Shakespeare. The songs are well-suited for performance by a tenor or soprano with a strong sense of drama and musicality, and the piano accompaniments are challenging and rewarding for pianists.

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