Composer

:

Alberto Ginastera

Genre

:

Vocal

Style

:

Cantata

Compose Date

:

1971

Average_duration

:

23:05

Movement_count

:

6

Movement ....

Alberto Ginastera's Milena, Op. 37 is a composition for soprano and orchestra, composed in 1971. The piece is based on the poetry of Milena Jesenská, a Czech journalist and writer who was a close friend of Franz Kafka. The work is divided into three movements, each of which reflects a different aspect of Jesenská's life and personality. The first movement, "Milena's Song," is a lyrical and introspective piece that reflects Jesenská's inner life and her struggles with depression and isolation. The music is characterized by a haunting melody that is repeated throughout the movement, accompanied by a sparse and atmospheric orchestration. The second movement, "Milena's Dance," is a lively and rhythmic piece that reflects Jesenská's love of dance and her vibrant personality. The music is characterized by a driving rhythm and a colorful orchestration that includes percussion, brass, and woodwinds. The third movement, "Milena's Lament," is a mournful and elegiac piece that reflects Jesenská's tragic fate. Jesenská was arrested by the Gestapo during World War II and died in a concentration camp in 1944. The music is characterized by a slow and mournful melody that is accompanied by a somber orchestration. Milena, Op. 37 was premiered in Buenos Aires in 1972, with soprano Marta Argerich and the Buenos Aires Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Bruno D'Astoli. The piece has since become a staple of the soprano repertoire and is widely regarded as one of Ginastera's most important works. The piece is notable for its use of traditional Argentine rhythms and melodies, as well as its innovative orchestration and use of extended vocal techniques.

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