Gordon Jacob (1895-1984)

Nationality: English

Born: July 5, 1895, London Died: June 8, 1984, Saffron Walden (age 88)

wikipedia | gordonjacob.org

Six Shakespearian Sketches for String Trio

(for violin, viola and cello)

2:29	I.	How sweet the moonlight sleeps on yonder bank. Adagio misterioso
1:46	II.	Foot it Featly. Allegro leggiero quasi presto
1:54	III.	Here a Dance of Clowns. Molto allegro e con brio
3:06	IV.	Grace in All Simplicity. Tempo di minuetto
2:50	V.	And a Babbled of Green Fields. Andante con moto
2:17	VI.	In Sad Cypress. Molto adagio e elegiaco

Duration: 15 minutes (approximately)

Composed: 1946 (age 50-51)

Dedication: The Carter Trio

1 recording, 6 videos

expand

autoopen autoplay

2:29

Ensemble Più

I. How sweet the moonlight sleeps on yonder bank. Adagio misterioso

1:46

Ensemble Più

II. Foot it Featly. Allegro leggiero quasi presto

1:54

Ensemble Più

III. Here a Dance of Clowns. Molto allegro e con brio

3:06

Ensemble Più

IV. Grace in All Simplicity. Tempo di minuetto

2:50

Ensemble Più

V. And a Babbled of Green Fields. Andante con moto

2:17

Ensemble Più

VI. In Sad Cypress. Molto adagio e elegiaco

Related Composers

Michael Tippett (1905-1998)

Student

Nationality: English

Born: January 2, 1905, London Died: January 8, 1998, London (age 93)

Alan Ridout (1934-1996)

Student

Nationality: English

Born: December 9, 1934, West Wickham, Kent Died: March 19, 1996, Caen, France (age 61)

Hubert Parry (1848-1918)

Teacher

Nationality: English

Born: February 27, 1848, Bournemouth Died: October 7, 1918, Rustington (age 70)

Charles Stanford (1852-1924)

Teacher

Nationality: Irish | English

Born: September 30, 1852, Dublin Died: March 29, 1924, London (age 71)

Ralph Vaughan Williams (1872-1958)

Teacher

Nationality: English

Born: October 12, 1872, Down Ampney, Gloucestershire Died: August 26, 1958, London (age 85)

Imogen Holst (1907-1984)

Student

Nationality: English

Born: April 12, 1907, Richmond, Surrey Died: March 9, 1984, Aldeburgh (age 76)

John Addison (1920-1998)

Student

Nationality: English

Born: March 16, 1920, Chobham Died: December 7, 1998, Bennington, VT (age 78)

glossary

adagio [It]—slow tempo, often implying a lyrical, poignant character
allegro [I]—fast, lively tempo. From the Italian word for cheerful or gay.
andante [I]—moderately slow tempo (e.g. walking). Faster than adagio but slower than allegretto
brio [I], con brio, brioso—vigor, vigorously, with fire
chamber music, Kammermusik [G], musique de chambre [F], musica da camera [I], musica cameralis [L]—"Classical Music" for a small ensemble, generally 8 or fewer players with a canonical emphasis on 3-6 players. explore
dance, danse [F], danza [I,sp], Tanz [G], Ballo [I]—dance; dancing
e [It]—and
elegy, elégie [F], elegie [G], elegisch, elegiaco, elegaico [I], élégiaque [F]—a plaintive, mournful poem, more specifically a lament for the dead. Usually implies a slow tempo, a minor key and a dark poignancy with potential spikes of tragic agony or, just as well, a gentle, bright flowering into nostalgic love of great tenderness. A musical narrative combining all of these moods is a hauntingly faithful representation of grief
leggiero, leggero, con leggerezza, léger [F], légèrement, avec légèreté—lightly, nimbly, quick, graceful
minuet, menuet [F], Menuett [G], menuetto [I], minuetto [I]—A graceful, courtly French dance of the Baroque and Classical period with a triple meter and a moderate tempo.It was introduced at the court of Louis XIV. In classical forms such as the symphony or chamber music, the minuet evolved into the more vigorous scherzo.
misterioso [I]—mysterious, secretive, enigmatic
molto [It]—very much
presto—very fast, more so than allegro.
quasi—almost, almost like, as if
string trio, Streichtrio [G], Trio d'archi [I], Trio de cordes [F], Trío de cuerdas [S] —a work for three stringed instruments, most commonly violin, viola and cello. A more rarefied form than the string quartet perhaps because the texture is sparse (each instrument highly exposed) and the means more difficult for natural harmonic richness. But these become challenges and assets in the great trios. Trios almost always emphasize countrapuntal writing with each of the three players in strong relief.
tempo, tempi [pl]—speed or pace at which music progresses. Traditional classic music typically uses standard Italian words to designate the tempo, e.g. Allegro or adagio. Metronome markings provide precise numerical speeds. Tempo selection during performance is a complex artistic choice informed by composer's markings, performance tradition, technical limitations and interpretation.
trio (1)—an ensemble or work for 3 players