Composer

:

Luigi Nono

Genre

:

Choral

Style

:

Choral

Compose Date

:

1958

Average_duration

:

11:33

Movement_count

:

6

Movement ....

"Cori di Didone" is a choral work composed by Luigi Nono in 1958. It premiered on September 25, 1958, at the Venice Biennale. The piece is divided into three movements, each with its own distinct characteristics. The first movement, "Lamento per la morte di Didone" (Lament for the Death of Dido), is a mournful and somber piece that reflects the tragic end of the Carthaginian queen. The choir sings in a slow and mournful tempo, with the use of dissonant harmonies and chromaticism to create a sense of unease and sorrow. The text is taken from Virgil's Aeneid, and the choir sings of Dido's despair and her eventual suicide. The second movement, "La nave de guerra sotto la luna" (The Warship Under the Moon), is a more energetic and rhythmic piece that reflects the violence and chaos of war. The choir sings in a faster tempo, with the use of percussive and staccato rhythms to create a sense of urgency and tension. The text is taken from a poem by Garcia Lorca, and the choir sings of a warship sailing under the moon, with the sound of cannons and the cries of the wounded. The third movement, "La terra e la compagna" (The Earth and the Companion), is a more contemplative and introspective piece that reflects on the relationship between humanity and the natural world. The choir sings in a slower tempo, with the use of long, sustained notes and harmonies to create a sense of peace and harmony. The text is taken from a poem by Pablo Neruda, and the choir sings of the earth as a companion to humanity, providing sustenance and shelter. Overall, "Cori di Didone" is a powerful and emotional work that showcases Nono's skill as a composer. The use of dissonance, chromaticism, and percussive rhythms creates a sense of tension and urgency, while the use of sustained harmonies and contemplative tempos creates a sense of peace and introspection. The text, taken from some of the greatest poets of the 20th century, adds depth and meaning to the work, making it a powerful reflection on the human condition.

More....