Composer

:

Richard Rodney Bennett

Genre

:

Vocal

Style

:

Vocal Music

Compose Date

:

2002 - 2003

Average_duration

:

17:23

Movement_count

:

6

Movement ....

'Songs Before Sleep' is a song cycle composed by Richard Rodney Bennett in 1982. The work was premiered on 22nd October 1982 at the Wigmore Hall in London, with the composer himself at the piano and the tenor Martyn Hill as the soloist. The cycle consists of six songs, each of which is a setting of a poem by a different poet. The first song, 'The Dream', sets a poem by John Clare. It is a gentle lullaby that evokes the peacefulness of sleep. The second song, 'The Sleep', sets a poem by Samuel Taylor Coleridge. It is a more dramatic piece that describes the struggle to fall asleep and the relief that comes when sleep finally arrives. The third song, 'The Nightingale', sets a poem by John Keats. It is a beautiful and lyrical piece that captures the beauty of the nightingale's song. The fourth song, 'The Owl', sets a poem by Edward Thomas. It is a haunting and atmospheric piece that evokes the eerie call of the owl. The fifth song, 'The Moon', sets a poem by Percy Bysshe Shelley. It is a serene and peaceful piece that celebrates the beauty of the moon. The final song, 'The Stars', sets a poem by Robert Bridges. It is a majestic and uplifting piece that celebrates the wonder of the stars. Overall, 'Songs Before Sleep' is a beautiful and evocative song cycle that captures the magic and mystery of the night. The music is lyrical and expressive, with rich harmonies and subtle textures that create a dreamlike atmosphere. The cycle is a testament to Bennett's skill as a composer and his ability to capture the essence of poetry in music.

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