Composer

:

Ian Venables

Genre

:

Vocal

Style

:

Vocal Music

"Break, break, break, Op. 33/5" is a song composed by Ian Venables, a British composer born in 1955. The song was composed in 2007 and premiered on 22nd September 2007 at the Cheltenham Music Festival. It is a part of Venables' song cycle titled "The Song of the Severn and Other Songs," which is based on the poetry of A.E. Housman. The song has three movements, and each movement is characterized by a different mood and tempo. The first movement is marked "Andante con moto" and is in the key of E-flat major. It begins with a gentle piano introduction, which sets the mood for the song. The vocal line enters with the words "Break, break, break," and the melody is simple and lyrical. The movement is characterized by a sense of longing and sadness, which is conveyed through the use of minor chords and chromatic harmonies. The second movement is marked "Allegro moderato" and is in the key of C minor. It begins with a fast and rhythmic piano introduction, which sets the mood for the movement. The vocal line enters with the words "But the tender grace of a day that is dead," and the melody is more complex and angular than in the first movement. The movement is characterized by a sense of anger and frustration, which is conveyed through the use of dissonant harmonies and syncopated rhythms. The third movement is marked "Andante" and is in the key of E-flat major. It begins with a gentle piano introduction, which sets the mood for the movement. The vocal line enters with the words "And the stately ships go on," and the melody is simple and lyrical, similar to the first movement. The movement is characterized by a sense of acceptance and resignation, which is conveyed through the use of major chords and a slower tempo. Overall, "Break, break, break, Op. 33/5" is a beautiful and poignant song that captures the essence of A.E. Housman's poetry. Venables' use of different moods and tempos in each movement adds depth and complexity to the song, making it a memorable and moving piece of music.

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