Composer

:

Irving Fine

Genre

:

Vocal

Style

:

Part Song

Compose Date

:

1949

Average_duration

:

12:30

Movement_count

:

6

Movement ....

Irving Fine's "The Hour Glass" is a chamber cantata for soprano, tenor, and baritone soloists, mixed chorus, and chamber orchestra. The piece was composed in 1949 and premiered on March 8, 1951, at the Koussevitzky Music Shed in Tanglewood, Massachusetts, conducted by Leonard Bernstein. The cantata is divided into six movements, each of which is based on a poem by Ben Jonson. The first movement, "The Hour Glass," sets the tone for the piece with its contemplative and introspective mood. The second movement, "O, do not wanton with those eyes," is a lively and playful setting of a poem about the dangers of flirting. The third movement, "Slow, slow, fresh fount," is a serene and meditative setting of a poem about the transience of life. The fourth movement, "In the old age black was not counted fair," is a mournful and elegiac setting of a poem about the inevitability of death. The fifth movement, "On a round ball," is a lively and rhythmic setting of a poem about the earth and its inhabitants. The final movement, "Epilogue," brings the piece to a close with a reflective and peaceful setting of a poem about the beauty of nature. The Hour Glass is characterized by its use of intricate counterpoint, rich harmonies, and expressive melodies. The piece also features a wide range of textures, from the delicate and intimate to the grand and majestic. The vocal writing is particularly notable for its sensitivity to the text, with the music closely following the rhythms and inflections of the poetry. Overall, The Hour Glass is a masterful work of choral music that showcases Irving Fine's skill as a composer and his deep understanding of the human experience. Its themes of mortality, love, and the beauty of nature continue to resonate with audiences today, making it a timeless masterpiece of the choral repertoire.

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