Composer

:

George Butterworth

Genre

:

Vocal

Style

:

Vocal Music

Compose Date

:

1911

Average_duration

:

14:06

Movement_count

:

6

Movement ....

George Butterworth's 'Songs (6) from A Shropshire Lad' is a song cycle composed in 1911. The premiere of the cycle took place on 5th December 1911 at the Aeolian Hall in London. The cycle consists of six songs, each based on a poem from A.E. Housman's collection of poems, 'A Shropshire Lad'. The poems are set to music for voice and piano. The first song in the cycle is 'Loveliest of Trees', which is a gentle and reflective song that captures the beauty of nature. The second song, 'When I was One-and-Twenty', is a more upbeat and lively song that tells the story of a young man who learns a valuable lesson about love. The third song, 'Look Not in My Eyes', is a haunting and melancholic song that explores the pain of unrequited love. The fourth song, 'Think No More, Lad', is a more optimistic and uplifting song that encourages the listener to live in the moment and enjoy life. The fifth song, 'The Lads in Their Hundreds', is a somber and reflective song that pays tribute to fallen soldiers. The final song in the cycle, 'Is My Team Ploughing', is a haunting and eerie song that explores the theme of death and the afterlife. Butterworth's music is characterized by its simplicity and elegance. He uses a variety of musical techniques to capture the mood and emotion of each poem, including chromaticism, modulations, and changes in tempo and dynamics. The piano accompaniment is also an integral part of the music, providing a rich and varied texture that complements the voice. Overall, 'Songs (6) from A Shropshire Lad' is a beautiful and poignant song cycle that captures the essence of Housman's poetry. Butterworth's music is a perfect match for the text, and the cycle remains a popular choice for singers and audiences alike.

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