Composer

:

Lennox Berkeley

Genre

:

Vocal

Style

:

Vocal Music

Compose Date

:

1958

Average_duration

:

9:17

Movement_count

:

5

Movement ....

'Poems (5) of W. H. Auden, Op. 53' is a song cycle composed by Lennox Berkeley, a British composer, in 1950. The premiere of the cycle took place on 17th October 1950 at the Wigmore Hall in London, with tenor Peter Pears and pianist Benjamin Britten performing. The cycle consists of five songs, each based on a poem by W. H. Auden, a renowned English poet. The first song, "At Last the Secret is Out," is a lively and playful piece that captures the humorous tone of Auden's poem. The second song, "Nocturne," is a slow and melancholic piece that reflects the somber mood of the poem. The third song, "Leaving the Motel," is a fast-paced and rhythmic piece that captures the sense of urgency and excitement in the poem. The fourth song, "Lullaby," is a gentle and soothing piece that reflects the peaceful and calming tone of the poem. The final song, "Tell Me the Truth About Love," is a lively and upbeat piece that captures the playful and witty tone of the poem. Berkeley's composition style in this cycle is characterized by his use of tonal harmony and lyrical melodies. He also employs a variety of textures and rhythms to reflect the different moods and emotions of each poem. The piano accompaniment is an integral part of the cycle, providing a rich and varied harmonic background to the vocal line. Overall, 'Poems (5) of W. H. Auden, Op. 53' is a beautiful and expressive song cycle that showcases Berkeley's skill as a composer and his ability to capture the essence of Auden's poetry.

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