Composer

:

John Corigliano

Genre

:

Keyboard

Style

:

Fantasy

Compose Date

:

1985

First Performance

:

May 24, 1985

Average_duration

:

12:11

Fantasia on an Ostinato is a contemporary classical composition by American composer John Corigliano. It was composed in 1985 and premiered on October 17, 1986, by the Saint Louis Symphony Orchestra under the direction of Leonard Slatkin. The piece is a single movement work that is approximately 11 minutes in length. It is based on the famous second movement of Ludwig van Beethoven's Piano Sonata No. 7 in D major, Op. 10, No. 3, which features a repeating pattern known as an ostinato. Corigliano takes this ostinato and uses it as the basis for his own composition, creating a work that is both a tribute to Beethoven and a unique exploration of the ostinato form. The piece begins with a slow, quiet introduction that gradually builds in intensity and complexity. The ostinato pattern is introduced in the bass, and is soon joined by other instruments in a series of overlapping layers. The music becomes increasingly frenzied, with the ostinato pattern driving the piece forward. As the piece progresses, Corigliano introduces a number of variations on the ostinato theme. These variations range from subtle changes in rhythm and harmony to more dramatic shifts in tempo and dynamics. The music becomes increasingly dissonant and chaotic, with the ostinato pattern serving as a constant anchor amidst the swirling textures. Towards the end of the piece, the music gradually slows down and becomes more introspective. The ostinato pattern is stripped down to its bare essentials, and the music becomes more contemplative and serene. The piece ends with a quiet, introspective coda that brings the work to a peaceful conclusion. Overall, Fantasia on an Ostinato is a powerful and dynamic work that showcases Corigliano's skill as a composer. By taking Beethoven's famous ostinato and using it as the basis for his own composition, Corigliano has created a work that is both a tribute to the past and a unique exploration of the present.

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