Composer

:

Rebecca Clarke

Genre

:

Chamber

Style

:

Chamber Music

Compose Date

:

1944

Average_duration

:

3:30

"I'll bid my heart be still (after an Old Scottish Border Melody)" is a composition by Rebecca Clarke, a British composer and violist. The piece was composed in 1944 and premiered in the same year. It is a song cycle consisting of three movements, each with its own unique characteristics. The first movement, "The Border," is a slow and melancholic piece that sets the tone for the rest of the cycle. The melody is based on an old Scottish border ballad, and Clarke's arrangement captures the haunting quality of the original tune. The piano accompaniment is sparse and understated, allowing the vocal line to take center stage. The second movement, "The Bonnie Earl o' Moray," is a more lively and rhythmic piece. The melody is based on another Scottish ballad, and Clarke's arrangement features a driving piano accompaniment that propels the song forward. The vocal line is more complex than in the first movement, with intricate melodic lines and a wide range of dynamics. The final movement, "The Laird o' Cockpen," is a playful and humorous piece. The melody is based on a Scottish comic song, and Clarke's arrangement captures the lighthearted spirit of the original tune. The piano accompaniment is lively and syncopated, and the vocal line features a number of playful vocal effects, such as trills and glissandos. Overall, "I'll bid my heart be still" is a beautiful and evocative song cycle that showcases Clarke's skill as a composer and arranger. The use of traditional Scottish melodies gives the piece a timeless quality, while Clarke's unique arrangements bring a fresh perspective to these old tunes.

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