Composer

:

Tobias Picker

Genre

:

Keyboard

Style

:

Keyboard

Compose Date

:

1986

Average_duration

:

5:34

"Old and Lost Rivers" is a contemporary classical composition by American composer Tobias Picker. It was composed in 1986 and premiered the same year by the Houston Symphony Orchestra under the direction of Sergiu Comissiona. The piece is a single-movement work that lasts approximately 10 minutes. The title of the piece is taken from a poem by the American poet, Alfred Noyes. The poem describes the journey of a river from its source in the mountains to the sea. Picker's composition is a musical representation of this journey, with the river depicted as a flowing melody that winds its way through the piece. The piece begins with a slow and contemplative introduction, with the melody of the river gradually emerging from the texture. As the piece progresses, the river gains momentum and the music becomes more energetic and lively. The middle section of the piece features a series of contrasting episodes, with the river depicted in different moods and tempos. The final section of the piece returns to the flowing melody of the river, which gradually fades away into silence. Picker's composition is characterized by its lyrical melodies, lush harmonies, and evocative orchestration. The piece is scored for a large orchestra, including strings, woodwinds, brass, percussion, and harp. The orchestration is particularly effective in depicting the different moods and textures of the river, with the use of percussion and brass to create a sense of power and energy. "Old and Lost Rivers" has become one of Picker's most popular works, and has been performed by orchestras around the world. The piece has been praised for its beauty and emotional depth, and has been described as a musical meditation on the power and majesty of nature.

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