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Sea Pictures Op 37 Conductor Score Original Higher Keys For Soprano

Rex Hayes

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Published in Sea Pictures (Op 37) Conductor Score (Original Higher Keys For Soprano)

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About the Work

Sea Pictures, Op. 37, is a song cycle for voice and orchestra by English composer Edward Elgar. The work sets five poems by various authors, and was written for the soprano Clara Butt, who gave the first performance in 1899. The cycle is one of Elgar's most popular works, and is often performed today.

Sea Pictures (Op. 37) Conductor Score (Original higher keys for soprano)

by Viktor Dick

4.3 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	2261 KB
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Print length	:	456 pages
Lending	:	Enabled
X-Ray for textbooks	:	Enabled

The score is available in a number of keys, but the original higher keys for soprano are the most common. This edition of the score includes a piano reduction, making it accessible to a wider range of performers.

The five poems in Sea Pictures are:

* 1. Sea Slumber Song (Thomas Hood) * 2. Where Corals Lie (Richard Garnett) * 3. Sabbath Morning at Sea (Elizabeth Barrett Browning) * 4. In Haven (George Meredith) * 5. The Swimmer (Adam Lindsay Gordon)

The poems are all about the sea, and they explore a variety of themes, including love, loss, and longing. Elgar's music is beautiful and evocative, and it perfectly captures the mood of the poems.

Performance History

Sea Pictures has been performed by many of the world's leading sopranos, including:

* Clara Butt (first performance, 1899) * Kirsten Flagstad * Elisabeth Schwarzkopf * Janet Baker * Kathleen Battle * Renée Fleming * Barbara Bonney

The work has also been recorded numerous times, and is available on a variety of labels.

Critical Reception

Sea Pictures has been praised by critics for its beauty, its emotional power, and its technical difficulty. The work has been described as "a masterpiece of English song," and as "one of the most beautiful and moving song cycles ever written."

Analysis

Sea Pictures is a complex and challenging work, both musically and emotionally. The music is full of beautiful melodies and rich harmonies, but it also contains some difficult vocal passages. The poems are all about the sea, and they explore a variety of themes, including love, loss, and longing.

The first song, "Sea Slumber Song," is a gentle and soothing lullaby. The music is simple and flowing, and the words are full of love and tenderness. The second song, "Where Corals Lie," is a more dramatic and passionate piece. The music is full of energy and excitement, and the words describe the beauty and danger of the sea. The third song, "Sabbath Morning at Sea," is a peaceful and reflective piece. The music is calm and serene, and the words describe the beauty of the sea on a Sunday morning. The fourth song, "In Haven," is a more upbeat and optimistic piece. The music is full of hope and joy, and the words describe the joy of being safe in haven after a long journey. The fifth song, "The Swimmer," is a dramatic and powerful piece. The music is full of energy and passion, and the words describe the struggle of a swimmer against the waves.

Sea Pictures is a beautiful and moving work that explores a variety of themes, including love, loss, and longing. The music is full of beautiful melodies and rich harmonies, and the poems are all well-written and evocative. The work is a challenge to perform, but it is also a very rewarding one.

Sea Pictures is one of Elgar's most popular and enduring works. The music is beautiful and evocative, and the poems are sure to resonate with listeners. If you are a soprano looking for a challenging and rewarding work to sing, Sea Pictures is a great choice.

Sea Pictures (Op. 37) Conductor Score (Original higher keys for soprano)

by Viktor Dick

4.3 out of 5