Compare this setting to that by Madeline Dring of the same words:
Amy Beach (1867–1944), an American composer and pianist, holds a significant place in the history of classical music. Born in New Hampshire, Beach displayed exceptional musical talent from an early age and received formal training in both Europe and the United States. As one of the first successful American female composers, Beach’s works encompass a wide range of genres, including piano music, chamber music, and art songs. “Take, O Take Those Lips,” a setting of Shakespeare’s text, exemplifies Beach’s mastery in creating expressive and nuanced vocal compositions within the late 19th and early 20th-century American classical tradition.
“Take, O Take Those Lips” by Amy Beach is a poignant art song that showcases her sensitivity to text and her distinctive compositional voice. The piece, set to Shakespearean poetry, features a lyrical vocal line accompanied by a rich and expressive piano part. Beach’s harmonic language and melodic inventiveness contribute to the emotional depth of the work, capturing the essence of the poetic sentiment. The title, evoking a sense of longing, is mirrored in the composition’s musical atmosphere. Beach’s ability to blend Romantic lyricism with American thematic elements is evident in this art song, adding to her legacy as a trailblazer in American classical music.
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