Composer

:

Pyotr Il'yich Tchaikovsky

Genre

:

Vocal

Style

:

Vocal Music

Compose Date

:

1880

Average_duration

:

4:02

"Sleep, poor friend" is a song composed by Pyotr Il'yich Tchaikovsky in 1880. It is the fourth song in his Opus 47 collection, which consists of six songs for voice and piano. The song is based on a poem by Aleksey Konstantinovich Tolstoy, a Russian poet and playwright. The premiere of "Sleep, poor friend" is not well-documented, but it is likely that it was first performed in a private setting, as was common for Tchaikovsky's songs. The song was published in 1881 by Jurgenson, a prominent music publisher in Moscow. "Sleep, poor friend" is a slow and melancholic song, with a simple and repetitive piano accompaniment that creates a lullaby-like atmosphere. The vocal melody is also simple and repetitive, with a range that is well-suited for a baritone or mezzo-soprano voice. The song is in the key of A-flat major and has a time signature of 6/8. The poem by Tolstoy that inspired the song is a lament for a friend who has died. The speaker of the poem asks the friend to rest in peace and not to worry about the troubles of the world. The song captures the sadness and resignation of the poem, with its gentle melody and soft dynamics. "Sleep, poor friend" is one of Tchaikovsky's most popular songs, and it has been recorded by many singers and pianists. Its simplicity and emotional depth make it a favorite among performers and audiences alike.

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