Composer

:

Gerald Finzi

Genre

:

Choral

Style

:

Choral

Compose Date

:

1953

Average_duration

:

3:53

'White-Flowering Days, Op. 37' is a song cycle composed by Gerald Finzi, a British composer known for his pastoral and melancholic style. The cycle was composed in 1950 and premiered in 1951 at the Wigmore Hall in London. It consists of six songs, each set to a poem by a different poet, all of which share a common theme of the transience of life and the beauty of nature. The first song, "White-Flowering Days," sets the tone for the cycle with its delicate and ethereal melody. The poem, by Robert Bridges, describes the fleeting beauty of the white-flowering trees in spring, which serve as a metaphor for the brevity of life. The second song, "Two Lips," is a playful and lighthearted setting of a poem by John Fletcher, which describes the beauty of a woman's lips. The third song, "The Sigh," is a haunting and melancholic setting of a poem by Thomas Hardy. The poem describes the sound of a sigh as it echoes through the night, symbolizing the sadness and loneliness of the human condition. The fourth song, "The Dance Continued," is a lively and energetic setting of a poem by Robert Graves, which celebrates the joy and vitality of life. The fifth song, "Transformations," is a mystical and otherworldly setting of a poem by Edmund Blunden. The poem describes the transformation of a butterfly from a caterpillar, symbolizing the possibility of spiritual transformation and renewal. The final song, "The Clock of the Years," is a somber and reflective setting of a poem by William Ernest Henley. The poem describes the passage of time as a relentless and unstoppable force, which ultimately leads to death. Overall, 'White-Flowering Days, Op. 37' is a beautiful and poignant song cycle that captures the essence of Finzi's musical style. The cycle is characterized by its delicate melodies, lush harmonies, and evocative imagery, which combine to create a powerful and moving musical experience.

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