Composer

:

Erich Wolfgang Korngold

Genre

:

Keyboard

Style

:

Keyboard

Compose Date

:

1910

Average_duration

:

2:34

Erich Wolfgang Korngold's 'Märchenbilder, No. 3, The Ruler of the spirits, Op. 3/3' is a four-movement piece for piano and violin. It was composed in 1910 when Korngold was just 13 years old. The piece premiered in Vienna in 1911, and it quickly gained popularity among audiences and critics alike. The first movement, marked "Mäßig bewegt," begins with a lively and playful violin melody that is soon joined by the piano. The two instruments engage in a lively dialogue, with the violin taking the lead in the more virtuosic passages. The movement is characterized by its lightness and energy, and it showcases Korngold's skill at crafting memorable melodies. The second movement, marked "Langsam," is a stark contrast to the first. It opens with a mournful violin melody that is accompanied by simple, chordal piano accompaniment. The violin gradually builds in intensity, reaching a climax before subsiding back into the mournful opening melody. This movement is marked by its emotional depth and expressive power. The third movement, marked "Sehr rasch," is a lively and energetic scherzo. The violin and piano engage in a playful and virtuosic dialogue, with both instruments taking turns in the spotlight. The movement is marked by its technical demands and its sense of fun and playfulness. The final movement, marked "Langsam," is a return to the mournful mood of the second movement. The violin opens with a haunting melody that is accompanied by sparse, atmospheric piano chords. The melody gradually builds in intensity, reaching a climax before subsiding back into the mournful opening melody. The movement ends with a sense of resignation and acceptance. Overall, 'Märchenbilder, No. 3, The Ruler of the spirits, Op. 3/3' is a masterful work that showcases Korngold's skill at crafting memorable melodies and his ability to evoke a wide range of emotions. Despite being composed when he was just 13 years old, the piece displays a maturity and sophistication that would become hallmarks of Korngold's later works.

More....