Five Poems of Mary Webb

Written in 1989, this slightly sombre setting of five poems is homophonic, giving the impression of a single vocal line. The very close harmony throughout conveys a sense of restraint and a longing to escape from the conflicts Mary Webb experiences as a woman. Familiar themes of love, life and loss are depicted by the text and treated by Skempton in his typically minimalist musical style. The sequence is roughly chronological. To Life and Reflections are early poems; the second of these is addressed to her husband, Henry Webb. The later poems are poignant and valedictory. Her marriage was unhappy and she became increasingly aware of the threat of a chronic illness (Graves' Disease).