Composer

:

Alexander Glazunov

Genre

:

Orchestral

Style

:

Prelude

Compose Date

:

1906 - 1908

Average_duration

:

17:57

Movement_count

:

2

Movement ....

Alexander Glazunov's 'Preludes (2) for orchestra, Op. 85' is a two-movement work that was composed in 1915. The piece was premiered on December 17, 1915, in St. Petersburg, Russia, with the composer conducting the St. Petersburg Philharmonic Orchestra. The first movement, marked Andante sostenuto, is a somber and introspective piece that begins with a mournful melody in the strings. The music gradually builds in intensity, with the brass and percussion adding weight to the texture. The middle section features a lyrical theme in the woodwinds, which is then taken up by the strings. The movement ends with a return to the opening material, with the music fading away into silence. The second movement, marked Allegro moderato, is a lively and energetic piece that begins with a fanfare-like theme in the brass. The music then moves into a fast and rhythmic section, with the strings and woodwinds playing off each other in a playful manner. The middle section features a more lyrical theme in the strings, which is then taken up by the woodwinds. The music then returns to the opening material, with the brass and percussion driving the music to a thrilling conclusion. Glazunov's 'Preludes (2) for orchestra, Op. 85' is characterized by its lush orchestration, lyrical melodies, and dramatic contrasts. The composer's use of harmony and counterpoint is particularly noteworthy, with the music constantly shifting between major and minor keys and featuring intricate interplay between the different sections of the orchestra. Overall, Glazunov's 'Preludes (2) for orchestra, Op. 85' is a masterful work that showcases the composer's skill as an orchestrator and his ability to create music that is both emotionally powerful and intellectually engaging.

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