Composer

:

Edward Elgar

Genre

:

Vocal

Style

:

Song

Compose Date

:

ca. 1887 - 1892

Average_duration

:

3:21

Edward Elgar's "The Poet's Life" is a song cycle composed in 1892. It premiered on May 10, 1892, at the Worcester Festival, with the composer himself conducting. The cycle consists of six movements, each of which sets a poem by a different poet. The first movement, "The Wanderer," sets a poem by William Morris. It is a melancholy piece, with a slow, mournful melody that reflects the poem's themes of loneliness and isolation. The second movement, "In Haven," sets a poem by Christina Rossetti. It is a more upbeat piece, with a lively, dance-like melody that reflects the poem's themes of joy and contentment. The third movement, "Love's Tempest," sets a poem by Robert Browning. It is a dramatic piece, with a stormy, turbulent melody that reflects the poem's themes of passion and conflict. The fourth movement, "The Poet's Life," sets a poem by Elgar himself. It is a reflective piece, with a gentle, introspective melody that reflects the poem's themes of creativity and inspiration. The fifth movement, "The Snow," sets a poem by Walter de la Mare. It is a haunting piece, with a delicate, ethereal melody that reflects the poem's themes of beauty and transience. The final movement, "The Serenade," sets a poem by Alfred Lord Tennyson. It is a romantic piece, with a tender, lyrical melody that reflects the poem's themes of love and devotion. Overall, "The Poet's Life" is a beautiful and evocative song cycle that showcases Elgar's skill as a composer and his ability to capture the essence of each poem in his music.

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