Composer

:

Ralph Vaughan Williams

Genre

:

Vocal

Style

:

Vocal Music

Compose Date

:

1901

Average_duration

:

4:07

"Whither must I Wander?" is a song composed by Ralph Vaughan Williams in 1924. It is part of his song cycle "Songs of Travel," which consists of nine songs that were composed between 1901 and 1904, and revised in 1929. The premiere of "Whither must I Wander?" was in 1924, performed by the baritone singer Roy Henderson. The song is set to a poem by Robert Louis Stevenson, and it is the seventh song in the cycle. The poem describes the journey of a wanderer who is searching for his place in the world. The wanderer is asking himself where he must go, and what he must do to find his true home. The song is written in the key of G major, and it has a slow and melancholic tempo. "Whither must I Wander?" has three distinct movements. The first movement is slow and introspective, with a simple melody that is repeated throughout the song. The second movement is more lively and energetic, with a faster tempo and a more complex melody. The third movement returns to the slow and introspective mood of the first movement, with a variation of the original melody. The characteristics of "Whither must I Wander?" are typical of Vaughan Williams' style. The song is characterized by its use of modal harmonies, which give it a folk-like quality. The melody is simple and lyrical, with a strong emphasis on the vocal line. The accompaniment is sparse, with a few chords that provide a subtle background to the vocal line. Overall, "Whither must I Wander?" is a beautiful and poignant song that captures the essence of the human search for meaning and purpose. Its simple melody and introspective mood make it a timeless classic that continues to resonate with audiences today.

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