Composer

:

Augusta Read Thomas

Genre

:

Chamber

Compose Date

:

2000

Average_duration

:

4:58

Augusta Read Thomas is an American composer who has written numerous works for orchestra, chamber ensembles, and solo instruments. One of her most notable works is "A Circle Around the Sun," which was composed in 2000 and premiered by the Boston Symphony Orchestra in 2001. The piece is divided into three movements, each of which explores different aspects of the sun and its relationship to the earth. The first movement, titled "Radiant," is characterized by bright, shimmering textures and rapid, virtuosic passages. The music evokes the intense energy and heat of the sun, as well as its life-giving properties. The second movement, "Eclipse," is more introspective and mysterious. The music is marked by slow, sustained chords and haunting melodies, which suggest the darkness and uncertainty of an eclipse. The movement builds to a powerful climax, as the sun emerges from behind the moon and the music becomes more triumphant. The final movement, "Radiant Again," returns to the exuberant energy of the first movement. The music is marked by driving rhythms and soaring melodies, which suggest the renewal and rebirth that comes with the return of the sun. The movement ends with a joyful, celebratory coda, which brings the piece to a thrilling conclusion. Overall, "A Circle Around the Sun" is a dynamic and engaging work that showcases Thomas's skill as a composer. The piece is characterized by its vivid imagery, virtuosic writing, and emotional depth, and has become a staple of the contemporary orchestral repertoire.

More....