Composer

:

Peter Maxwell Davies

Genre

:

Chamber

Compose Date

:

1971

Average_duration

:

20:22

Peter Maxwell Davies' 'The Devils, suite drawn from the soundtrack of Ken Russell's film, J. 98A' is a composition that was premiered in 1971. The suite is drawn from the soundtrack of Ken Russell's controversial film 'The Devils', which was released in the same year. The composition consists of six movements, each of which is characterized by its unique musical style and instrumentation. The first movement, titled 'Fanfare', is a short and intense piece that features brass and percussion instruments. It sets the tone for the rest of the suite, which is characterized by its dramatic and often dissonant sound. The second movement, 'The Rape of Christ', is a haunting and unsettling piece that features a solo soprano voice and a choir. The music is slow and mournful, with the choir singing in Latin and the soprano voice soaring above them. The third movement, 'The Convent', is a more upbeat and lively piece that features a variety of instruments, including strings, woodwinds, and percussion. The music is fast-paced and energetic, with a sense of urgency and excitement. The fourth movement, 'The Possessed', is a dark and brooding piece that features a solo cello and a choir. The music is slow and ominous, with the cello playing a haunting melody and the choir singing in a low, menacing tone. The fifth movement, 'The Burning', is a chaotic and frenzied piece that features a variety of instruments, including brass, percussion, and strings. The music is fast-paced and dissonant, with a sense of chaos and destruction. The final movement, 'The Exorcism', is a triumphant and uplifting piece that features a choir and a variety of instruments. The music is fast-paced and joyful, with a sense of victory and redemption. Overall, 'The Devils, suite drawn from the soundtrack of Ken Russell's film, J. 98A' is a powerful and intense composition that captures the drama and emotion of Ken Russell's controversial film. The music is characterized by its dissonant and often unsettling sound, as well as its use of a variety of instruments and vocal styles.

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