Composer

:

Michael Daugherty

Genre

:

Concerto

Compose Date

:

2013

Average_duration

:

21:47

Movement_count

:

3

Movement ....

American Gothic is a composition for orchestra by Michael Daugherty, an American composer. The piece was composed in 1999 and premiered on October 28, 2000, by the National Symphony Orchestra under the direction of Leonard Slatkin at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. The composition is divided into three movements, each of which is inspired by a painting by the American artist Grant Wood. The first movement, "The Farmer's Daughter," is based on Wood's painting of the same name, which depicts a young woman standing in front of a farmhouse. The music is pastoral and evokes the simplicity and beauty of rural life. The second movement, "American Gothic," is named after Wood's most famous painting, which depicts a stern-looking farmer and his daughter standing in front of a Gothic-style house. The music is dark and brooding, with ominous brass and percussion creating a sense of foreboding. The movement also features a solo violin, which represents the daughter in the painting. The final movement, "Dance in the Orchard," is based on Wood's painting "Daughters of Revolution," which shows a group of women dancing in an apple orchard. The music is lively and celebratory, with a folk-like quality that reflects the joy and energy of the dancers. Overall, American Gothic is a powerful and evocative work that captures the essence of rural America and the spirit of its people. Daugherty's use of Wood's paintings as inspiration adds an extra layer of meaning and depth to the music, making it a truly unique and memorable composition.

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