Songs of Love & Heroism | Cameron

Songs of Love and Heroism

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For Baritone & Piano

Duration: c.7'

I - The Falling Leaves

II - Sir Galahad

Please note: The movements in this work can be performed as a song cycle, or individually.

Programme Note:

Songs of Love and Heroism explores topics of separation, love and knightly heroics through setting two

texts by Y.B. Yeats and Lord Alfred Tennyson. These contrasting texts have complementing themes, united

by aspects of love; whether that be a romantic yearning, or courtly love. The contemplative first

movement, entitled ‘The Falling Leaves’, uses Yeats’ pastorale imagery of autumn to convey a separation

between lovers. The sprightly second movement depicts Sir Galahad, a knight of King Arthurs round-table

said to have been purist of heart who obtained the holy grail. In this brisk and dramatic movement, I set an

extract of Lord Alfred Tennyson’s poem of Sir Galahad, where this movement is full of musical excitement

and drama through a rhythmic perpetuum in the piano accompaniment. The cycle closes with distant

murmurings in the piano, where the rhythmical excitement shatters into musical fragments below the

contemplative singer.

Many thanks to Cheltenham Music Festival for commissioning this work for the 2024 opening festival. Premiered by Roderick Williams and Roger Vignoles as part of the Cheltenham and Buxton International Festival in 2024.