Composer

:

Hugh Wood

Genre

:

Vocal

Style

:

Vocal Music

Compose Date

:

1962 - 1965

First Performance

:

Aug 2, 1965

Average_duration

:

28:06

Scenes from Comus, Op. 6 is a composition by British composer Hugh Wood. It was composed in 1965 and premiered on 22nd October of the same year at the Royal Festival Hall in London. The piece is inspired by John Milton's masque Comus, which tells the story of a young woman who is lost in the woods and encounters the god of revelry, Comus, and his followers. Scenes from Comus is divided into five movements, each of which represents a different scene from the masque. The first movement, "The Lady Lost in the Wood," is a slow and mysterious introduction that sets the scene for the rest of the piece. The second movement, "Comus and His Crew," is a lively and rhythmic scherzo that captures the energy and excitement of Comus and his followers. The third movement, "The Lady's Lament," is a slow and mournful aria that expresses the Lady's sadness and despair at being lost in the woods. The fourth movement, "The Lady's Rescue," is a dramatic and intense section that depicts the Lady's rescue by her brothers. The final movement, "The Triumph of Chastity," is a joyful and celebratory finale that represents the triumph of virtue over vice. The music of Scenes from Comus is characterized by its use of tonal harmony and traditional forms, as well as its incorporation of modernist techniques such as dissonance and irregular rhythms. The piece also features a variety of instrumental textures and colors, with Wood making use of the full range of the orchestra to create a rich and varied sound. Overall, Scenes from Comus is a powerful and evocative work that captures the spirit of Milton's masque while also showcasing Wood's unique compositional style. Its premiere was met with critical acclaim, and it has since become a staple of the orchestral repertoire.

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