Composer

:

Celius Dougherty

Genre

:

Vocal

Style

:

Vocal Music

Average_duration

:

2:10

'Love in the Dictionary' is a song cycle composed by Celius Dougherty, an American composer and pianist. The cycle was composed in 1955 and premiered in New York City in the same year. It consists of six movements, each of which sets a different poem about love from the dictionary. The first movement, "Love is a Sickness," sets a poem by Samuel Daniel. The music is slow and mournful, with a descending melody that reflects the idea of love as a sickness. The second movement, "Love is Not All," sets a poem by Edna St. Vincent Millay. The music is more upbeat and playful, with a syncopated rhythm that reflects the poem's message that love is not everything. The third movement, "Love is a Rose," sets a poem by Robert Burns. The music is gentle and flowing, with a lilting melody that reflects the beauty of a rose. The fourth movement, "Love is a Wind," sets a poem by Christina Rossetti. The music is light and airy, with a swirling melody that reflects the idea of love as a wind that blows where it will. The fifth movement, "Love is a Squirrel," sets a poem by Emily Dickinson. The music is playful and whimsical, with a skipping melody that reflects the idea of love as a squirrel that runs and hides. The final movement, "Love is a Fire," sets a poem by Sir Walter Raleigh. The music is intense and passionate, with a driving rhythm that reflects the idea of love as a fire that consumes everything in its path. Overall, 'Love in the Dictionary' is a charming and varied song cycle that showcases Dougherty's skill as a composer and his ability to capture the essence of each poem in his music. The cycle is a popular choice for vocalists and has been performed and recorded by many artists over the years.

More....