- Ian Venables
Vitae Summa Brevis, Op. 33/3 (2002)
- Novello & Co Ltd (World)
From 'Six Songs Op 33'
- Piano
- Baritone; Piano
- High Voice
- Ernest Dowson
Programme Note
Part of the song cycle "Six Songs"
The 19th century fin de siecle poet Ernest Dowson has a secure place in the pantheon of poets on the basis of two memorable poems, Cynara and Vitae Summa Brevis. The latter poem contains the now famous line, ‘They are not long the days of wine and roses’. Venables takes this two-stanza poem and treats it in a strophic manner, adding only occasional variation to the vocal line. Its musical language is suggestive of the sound world found in his earliest song. 2003
The 19th century fin de siecle poet Ernest Dowson has a secure place in the pantheon of poets on the basis of two memorable poems, Cynara and Vitae Summa Brevis. The latter poem contains the now famous line, ‘They are not long the days of wine and roses’. Venables takes this two-stanza poem and treats it in a strophic manner, adding only occasional variation to the vocal line. Its musical language is suggestive of the sound world found in his earliest song. 2003
Media
6 Songs, Op. 33: No. 3. Vitae Summa Brevis
Discography
Love's Voice

- LabelSOMM Recordings
- Catalogue NumberSOMMCD 063
- SoloistNathan Vale (tenor), Paul Plummer (piano)