Composer

:

George Crumb

Genre

:

Chamber

Style

:

Chamber Music

Compose Date

:

1986

Average_duration

:

9:46

"An Idyll for the Misbegotten" is a composition for amplified piano and percussion by American composer George Crumb. It was composed in 1986 and premiered on October 17, 1986, at the University of California, San Diego. The piece is divided into three movements and has a total duration of approximately 20 minutes. The first movement, titled "The Dreamer," is characterized by its ethereal and dreamlike quality. The piano is played with various extended techniques, including plucking the strings and playing inside the piano, while the percussionist uses a variety of instruments, including chimes and gongs, to create a shimmering, otherworldly sound. The second movement, titled "The Misbegotten," is more aggressive and dissonant than the first. The piano is played with forceful, percussive attacks, while the percussionist uses a variety of instruments, including a bass drum and a tam-tam, to create a sense of tension and unease. The final movement, titled "The Mystic," is the most introspective and contemplative of the three. The piano is played with a gentle touch, while the percussionist uses a variety of instruments, including a vibraphone and a marimba, to create a sense of calm and serenity. Overall, "An Idyll for the Misbegotten" is a haunting and evocative work that showcases Crumb's unique approach to composition. The use of extended techniques and unconventional instrumentation creates a sound world that is both familiar and alien, and the three movements work together to create a cohesive and emotionally powerful whole.

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