Download of the Week: Barber's Three Songs, Op. 10

Our featured download of the week is Barber's Three Songs, Op. 10.

Go to http://musicdownloads.alexanderstreet.com/promo/ to download and enjoy!

Barber's Three Songs Op. 10 were completed in 1936 during a two-year stay at the American Academy in Rome. Written for voice and piano, the piano part was also orchestrated, though their intimacy is perhaps best suited to piano accompaniment. Listen for the way the piano reflects the mood of the text: in Rain has fallen, the broken chords suggest droplets of rain; in Sleep Now, the gentle rocking of the piano grows more impassioned; and in I Hear an Army, the strident accompaniment features harsh military-like rhythms.

Movement 1 : Rain has Fallen

Text:

Rain has fallen all the day.
O come among the laden trees:
The leaves lie thick upon the way
Of mem'ries
Staying a little by the way
Of mem'ries shall we depart.
Come, my beloved, where I may
Speak to your heart,
Speak to your heart.

Movement 2 : Sleep Now

Text:

Sleep now, O sleep now,
O you unquiet heart!
A voice crying "Sleep now"
Is heard in my heart.
The voice of the winter
Is heard at the door.
O sleep, for the winter
Is crying "Sleep no more,
Sleep no more, Sleep no more."
My kiss will give you peace now
And quiet to your heart
Sleep on in peace now,
O you unquiet heart!

Movement 3 : I Hear an Army

Text:

I hear an army charging upon the land,
And the thunder of horses plunging,
foam about their knees:
Arrogant, in black armour, behind them stand,
Disdaining the reins, with flutt'ring whips,
the charioteers.
They cry unto the night their battle name:
I moan in sleep when I hear afar their whirling laughter.
They cleave the gloom of dreams,
a blinding flame,
Clanging, clanging upon the heart
as upon an anvil.
They come shaking in triumph their long, green hair:
They come out of the sea and run shouting by the shore.
My heart, have you no wisdom thus to despair?
My love, my love, my love,
why have you left me alone?