Composer

:

Lee Hoiby

Genre

:

Vocal

Style

:

Vocal Music

Average_duration

:

1:56

'Always It's Spring' is a song cycle composed by Lee Hoiby in 1989. The premiere of the work was given by soprano Benita Valente and pianist André-Michel Schub in New York City on April 17, 1990. The cycle consists of six songs, each with its own unique character and mood. The first song, "Always It's Spring," sets the tone for the cycle with its joyful and optimistic melody. The second song, "The Sea," is more contemplative and introspective, with a hauntingly beautiful melody that evokes the vastness and mystery of the ocean. The third song, "The Night Has a Thousand Eyes," is a setting of a poem by Francis William Bourdillon, and features a delicate and ethereal melody that captures the dreamlike quality of the text. The fourth song, "The Lamb," is a setting of a poem by William Blake, and features a simple and tender melody that perfectly captures the innocence and purity of the text. The fifth song, "The Rose," is a setting of a poem by Christina Rossetti, and features a lush and romantic melody that perfectly captures the beauty and fragility of the rose. The final song, "The Bird," is a setting of a poem by Emily Dickinson, and features a lively and playful melody that perfectly captures the joy and freedom of the bird in flight. Throughout the cycle, Hoiby's music is characterized by its lyrical beauty, expressive melodies, and sensitive treatment of the texts. The piano accompaniment is also an integral part of the music, providing a rich and varied harmonic backdrop for the vocal line. Overall, 'Always It's Spring' is a beautiful and moving work that showcases Hoiby's skill as a composer and his deep understanding of the human experience.

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