Composer

:

Percy Grainger

Genre

:

Orchestral

Style

:

Orchestral

Compose Date

:

1927 - Mar 14, 1929

Publication Date

:

1929

Average_duration

:

12:20

To a Nordic Princess, for orchestra is a composition by Percy Grainger, an Australian-born composer and pianist. The piece was composed in 1902 and premiered in London in 1906. It is a single-movement work that lasts approximately 10 minutes. The piece is characterized by its use of folk melodies and rhythms, which were a hallmark of Grainger's style. The opening theme is a haunting melody played by the strings, which is then taken up by the woodwinds and brass. The melody is based on a Norwegian folk song, which Grainger had collected during his travels in Scandinavia. The piece is structured in a loose rondo form, with the opening theme returning several times throughout the work. The middle section of the piece features a lively dance, which is based on a Swedish folk tune. This section is characterized by its use of syncopated rhythms and driving percussion. The final section of the piece returns to the opening theme, which is played in a more subdued and introspective manner. The piece ends with a quiet coda, which features a solo violin playing a variation of the opening theme. Overall, To a Nordic Princess, for orchestra is a beautiful and evocative work that showcases Grainger's skill at incorporating folk melodies into his compositions. The piece is notable for its use of unusual harmonies and rhythms, which give it a distinctive and memorable sound.

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