Composer

:

Gerald Finzi

Genre

:

Vocal

Style

:

Vocal Music

Compose Date

:

1947

Average_duration

:

31:44

Movement_count

:

10

Movement ....

Before and after the Summer, Op. 16 is a song cycle composed by Gerald Finzi, a British composer, in 1949. The cycle consists of six songs, each with its own distinct character and mood. The lyrics for the songs were written by Thomas Hardy, an English novelist and poet. The premiere of Before and after the Summer took place on May 10, 1950, at the Wigmore Hall in London. The cycle was performed by the tenor Wilfred Brown, accompanied by the composer himself on the piano. The first song in the cycle, "Childhood among the Ferns," is a nostalgic reflection on the innocence and wonder of childhood. The second song, "Before and after Summer," is a meditation on the transience of life and the passing of the seasons. The third song, "The Self-unseeing," is a poignant reflection on the loss of innocence and the passage of time. The fourth song, "Overlooking the River," is a contemplation of the beauty of nature and the power of memory. The fifth song, "Channel Firing," is a dramatic and powerful reflection on the destructive power of war. The final song, "In the Mind's Eye," is a haunting meditation on the power of memory and the persistence of the past. Throughout the cycle, Finzi's music is characterized by its lyrical beauty, its sensitivity to the text, and its emotional depth. The piano accompaniment is often spare and understated, allowing the voice to take center stage. The vocal melodies are expressive and often highly ornamented, reflecting the emotional intensity of the lyrics. Overall, Before and after the Summer is a powerful and moving song cycle that showcases Finzi's skill as a composer and his deep understanding of the human experience.

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