Dear love, be not unkind

Richard Dering’s canzonette for SATB voices, Dear love, be not unkind, opens with a delicate interplay of voices, each line of text receiving careful attention. The composer uses the four parts to create a rich yet transparent texture, perfectly capturing the poignant plea of the lyrics. The text itself is a direct address to a lover, urging them not to be cruel to someone who is 'adying'. The music rises to meet the emotion, with moments of tenderness and urgency in its harmonic language. This secular English song offers a chance for expressive ensemble singing, allowing the choir to explore the nuances of the text through sensitive part-writing.