Composer

:

Frederick Delius

Genre

:

Orchestral

Style

:

Tone Poem

Compose Date

:

1911

Average_duration

:

6:27

Frederick Delius composed 'Summer Night on the River, RT vi/19/2' in 1911. The piece premiered on October 10, 1912, in London, England. It is a single-movement work that lasts approximately six minutes. The piece is characterized by its lush harmonies and impressionistic style. Delius uses a variety of orchestral colors to create a dreamy, atmospheric sound. The opening theme is introduced by the strings and is later passed around to the woodwinds and brass. The melody is simple and lyrical, evoking the peacefulness of a summer night. The middle section of the piece features a solo violin playing a haunting melody over a shimmering background of strings and harp. The melody is then taken up by the entire orchestra, building to a climax before returning to the opening theme. The piece ends with a quiet coda, featuring a solo flute playing a delicate melody over a soft bed of strings. The music fades away, leaving the listener with a sense of tranquility and calm. Overall, 'Summer Night on the River' is a beautiful example of Delius's impressionistic style. The piece captures the essence of a peaceful summer night, with its lush harmonies and dreamy atmosphere. It remains a popular work in the orchestral repertoire and is often performed in concerts and recordings.

More....