Composer

:

Florent Schmitt

Genre

:

Orchestral

Compose Date

:

1920

Average_duration

:

26:51

Movement_count

:

3

Movement ....

Antoine et Cléopâtre No. 2, Op. 69b is a symphonic suite composed by Florent Schmitt in 1920. The piece was inspired by Shakespeare's play Antony and Cleopatra and was premiered in Paris on May 12, 1920, by the Orchestre Lamoureux under the direction of Camille Chevillard. The suite consists of four movements, each depicting a different scene from the play. The first movement, "La Nuit d'Antoine," portrays the night before the Battle of Actium, where Antony is tormented by his love for Cleopatra and his duty to Rome. The movement begins with a haunting melody played by the English horn, which is then taken up by the strings. The music builds to a climax, representing the turmoil in Antony's mind. The second movement, "La Mort de Cléopâtre," depicts Cleopatra's suicide after Antony's defeat. The music is mournful and elegiac, with a solo violin representing Cleopatra's voice. The movement ends with a quiet, resigned coda. The third movement, "La Danse de Cléopâtre," is a lively dance that Cleopatra performs for Antony. The music is exotic and sensual, with a prominent use of percussion and a solo flute representing Cleopatra's voice. The final movement, "La Bataille d'Actium," depicts the battle between Antony and Octavian. The music is intense and dramatic, with pounding rhythms and brass fanfares. The movement ends with a triumphant coda, representing Octavian's victory. Overall, Antoine et Cléopâtre No. 2, Op. 69b is a powerful and evocative work that captures the drama and passion of Shakespeare's play. Schmitt's use of orchestration and melody is masterful, creating a vivid musical portrait of the characters and events of Antony and Cleopatra.

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