Composer

:

Giulio Briccialdi

Genre

:

Chamber

Style

:

Chamber Music

Average_duration

:

9:30

Le Streghe, Op. 138 is a composition for solo flute and piano by Italian composer Giulio Briccialdi. It was composed in 1854 and premiered in the same year in Florence, Italy. The piece consists of six movements, each of which is inspired by a different witch from mythology or folklore. The first movement, "Medea," is a fast and lively piece that captures the fiery and vengeful character of the sorceress from Greek mythology. The second movement, "Circe," is more subdued and mysterious, evoking the enchantress who turned Odysseus' men into pigs in Homer's Odyssey. The third movement, "Morgana," is a haunting and melancholic piece that reflects the tragic fate of the sorceress from Arthurian legend. The fourth movement, "Armida," is a virtuosic and energetic piece that captures the seductive and dangerous character of the sorceress from Tasso's epic poem Jerusalem Delivered. The fifth movement, "Melusina," is a delicate and ethereal piece that evokes the water nymph from European folklore. The final movement, "La Befana," is a lively and festive piece that celebrates the Italian Christmas witch who brings gifts to children on Epiphany. Overall, Le Streghe is a showcase of Briccialdi's virtuosity as a flutist and his skill as a composer. The piece is characterized by its colorful and evocative melodies, its use of virtuosic flourishes and technical challenges, and its ability to capture the different moods and personalities of the witches it portrays. It remains a popular and frequently performed work in the flute repertoire.

More....