Composer

:

Herbert Howells

Genre

:

Chamber

Style

:

Concerto

Compose Date

:

1938

Average_duration

:

29:11

Movement_count

:

3

Movement ....

Herbert Howells' Concerto for String Orchestra is a three-movement work that was composed in 1938. It was premiered on March 16, 1939, by the Boyd Neel Orchestra at the Aeolian Hall in London. The concerto is considered one of Howells' most significant works and is a testament to his mastery of string writing. The first movement, marked Allegro, is characterized by its lively and energetic nature. It begins with a bold and assertive theme played by the violins, which is then taken up by the rest of the orchestra. The movement is full of rhythmic vitality and features intricate interplay between the different sections of the orchestra. The middle section of the movement is more lyrical in nature, with a beautiful melody played by the cellos and violas. The movement ends with a return to the opening theme, played with even greater intensity than before. The second movement, marked Adagio, is a slow and contemplative piece. It begins with a hauntingly beautiful melody played by the violins, which is then taken up by the rest of the orchestra. The movement is characterized by its rich harmonies and lush textures, and it features several moments of intense emotional expression. The middle section of the movement is more subdued, with a delicate and introspective theme played by the cellos. The movement ends with a return to the opening theme, played with even greater intensity than before. The third movement, marked Allegro molto, is a lively and exuberant piece. It begins with a fast and frenetic theme played by the violins, which is then taken up by the rest of the orchestra. The movement is characterized by its rhythmic complexity and virtuosic writing for the strings. The middle section of the movement is more subdued, with a lyrical theme played by the cellos and violas. The movement ends with a return to the opening theme, played with even greater intensity than before. Overall, Howells' Concerto for String Orchestra is a masterful work that showcases his skill as a composer and his deep understanding of the string orchestra. It is a work of great emotional depth and complexity, and it remains a beloved piece in the string orchestra repertoire.

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