Work
Love's coming : a song cycle for medium voice and piano on six poems by John Shaw Neilson
by Gerald Glynn (1986)
Audio Sample
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Performance by Hartley Newnham, Nicholas Routley from the CD hermit of green light. |
Score
Love's coming : song cycle for medium voice and piano / by Gerald Glynn
Library shelf no. 783.4547/GLY 2 [Available for loan]
Work Overview
Love's Coming consists of settings of six poems by John Shaw Neilson (1872-1942), perhaps Australia's greatest lyric poet. The title of the cycle is taken from that of the first poem set. The vocal writing is deliberately simple, to let the poems speak for themselves, but the piano accompaniment is often more florid and complex, each song having its own distinctive accompanimental figures and motifs.
After the sixth and last song, When Kisses are as Strawberries, there is a brief return to the opening song and its final couplet, "Love came so lightly // I knew not that he came". The swirling, piano arpeggios of this opening song are then repeated to close the cycle.
The composer gratefully acknowledges the kind permission granted by Lothian Books of Melbourne to use Neilson's poems
Work Details
Year: 1986
Instrumentation: Medium voice, piano.
Duration: 19 min.
Difficulty: Advanced — A.Mus. Piano accompaniment sometimes complex and florid.
Contents note: Love's coming -- Surely God was a lover -- The hour of the parting -- Love in absence -- So sweet a mouth had she -- When kisses are as strawberries.
Dedication note: Dedicated to: Elaine.
Commission note: Commissioned by Nicholas Routley, Hartley Newnham with funds provided by Australia Council. Music Board.
First performance: by Hartley Newnham, Nicholas Routley — 6 Sep 87. Queensland Art Gallery, Brisbane
'Love in absence' is on AMEB Grade 5 syllabus. 'The hour of the parting' is on AMEB Grade 6 syllabus. 'Surely God was a lover' is on AMEB Grade 8 syllabus.
Subjects
- In the form/style of: Song Cycles
Performances of this work
1 Feb 06: Alte Schmiede performing arts centre, Vienna, Austria. Featuring Marida Karisik, Marialena Fernandes.
20 Sep 87: First Live Broadcast: ABC Radio, from Sydney Opera House. Featuring Hartley Newnham, Nicholas Routley.
6 Sep 87: Queensland Art Gallery, Brisbane. Featuring Hartley Newnham, Nicholas Routley.
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