Composer

:

Pyotr Il'yich Tchaikovsky

Genre

:

Vocal

Style

:

Vocal Music

Compose Date

:

1880

Average_duration

:

3:17

"Softly the spirit flew up to heaven, Op. 47/2" is a choral work composed by Pyotr Il'yich Tchaikovsky in 1884. It was premiered on November 1, 1884, in Moscow, Russia, by the Russian Musical Society. The piece is part of Tchaikovsky's "Sixteen Songs for Children" and is the second song in the set. The piece is written for a four-part mixed choir and is set to a poem by Alexei Tolstoy. The text tells the story of a child who has died and whose spirit has flown up to heaven. The music is gentle and mournful, reflecting the sadness of the text. The piece begins with a soft, slow introduction, with the choir singing in unison. The first verse is sung by the sopranos, with the other parts providing a gentle accompaniment. The second verse is sung by the altos, with the other parts again providing a gentle accompaniment. The third verse is sung by the tenors, with the other parts providing a more prominent accompaniment. The final verse is sung by the basses, with the other parts providing a full and rich accompaniment. The piece is characterized by its simple, yet beautiful melody and its use of rich harmonies. Tchaikovsky's use of dynamics is also notable, with the piece starting softly and gradually building to a fuller sound. The piece is also notable for its use of chromaticism, with Tchaikovsky using chromatic harmonies to create a sense of tension and release. Overall, "Softly the spirit flew up to heaven, Op. 47/2" is a beautiful and moving choral work that showcases Tchaikovsky's skill as a composer. Its simple melody and rich harmonies make it a popular choice for choirs and audiences alike.

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