Composer

:

David Del Tredici

Genre

:

Vocal

Style

:

Vocal Music

Compose Date

:

1974 - 1975

David Del Tredici's "Final Alice" is a composition for soprano and orchestra that premiered on May 2, 1976, at the Alice Tully Hall in New York City. The piece is based on Lewis Carroll's "Alice's Adventures in Wonderland" and "Through the Looking-Glass" and is the final installment in Del Tredici's "Alice" series. The composition is divided into six movements, each of which represents a different chapter from the books. The first movement, "The Jabberwock," is a lively and energetic piece that sets the tone for the rest of the work. The second movement, "The Walrus and the Carpenter," is a playful and whimsical piece that features a duet between the soprano and a solo clarinet. The third movement, "Humpty Dumpty," is a slower and more contemplative piece that features a solo cello. The fourth movement, "Tweedledum and Tweedledee," is a lively and rhythmic piece that features a duet between the soprano and a solo trumpet. The fifth movement, "The Lion and the Unicorn," is a dramatic and intense piece that features a solo horn. The final movement, "The Jabberwock Revisited," is a reprise of the first movement but with a more subdued and reflective tone. One of the characteristics of "Final Alice" is its use of tonality and traditional forms. Del Tredici was known for his use of tonality during a time when atonality was more popular in contemporary classical music. The piece also features traditional forms such as the fugue and the passacaglia. Another characteristic of the piece is its use of vocal techniques. The soprano is required to use a wide range of vocal techniques, including speaking, singing, and screaming. The piece also features extended vocal techniques such as glissandos and vibrato. Overall, "Final Alice" is a complex and multi-layered composition that showcases Del Tredici's unique style and approach to classical music. Its use of tonality, traditional forms, and vocal techniques make it a standout piece in contemporary classical music.

More....