Composer

:

Edmund Rubbra

Genre

:

Chamber

Style

:

Chamber Music

Compose Date

:

1964

Average_duration

:

5:18

Edmund Rubbra's 'Passacaglia sopra Plusiers regrets, Op. 113' is a composition for solo piano. It was composed in 1957 and premiered on 22nd October of the same year by the pianist, Denis Matthews, at the Wigmore Hall in London. The piece is divided into three movements and has a total duration of approximately 20 minutes. The first movement of the passacaglia is marked 'Moderato' and is based on a repeating bass line that is heard throughout the piece. The melody is introduced in the right hand and is characterized by its mournful and melancholic nature. The movement is structured in a loose ABA form, with the central section featuring a more agitated and dissonant harmonic language. The second movement is marked 'Adagio' and is the emotional heart of the piece. It is a set of variations on a theme that is introduced in the left hand. The variations explore different moods and textures, ranging from delicate and introspective to powerful and dramatic. The movement builds to a climax before subsiding into a quiet and reflective coda. The final movement is marked 'Allegro con fuoco' and is a virtuosic tour de force for the pianist. It is a rondo-like structure, with the main theme alternating with contrasting episodes. The movement is characterized by its rhythmic vitality and exuberant energy, and provides a thrilling conclusion to the passacaglia. Overall, Rubbra's 'Passacaglia sopra Plusiers regrets, Op. 113' is a deeply expressive and emotionally charged work that showcases the composer's mastery of the piano. The use of the passacaglia form, with its repeating bass line, gives the piece a sense of unity and coherence, while the variations and contrasting episodes provide a rich variety of musical material. The work is a testament to Rubbra's skill as a composer and his ability to create music of great beauty and depth.

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