Composer

:

Henry Cowell

Genre

:

Keyboard

Style

:

Keyboard

Compose Date

:

1922

First Performance

:

May 11, 1922

Average_duration

:

3:29

The Hero Sun, HC 354/2 is a composition by American composer Henry Cowell. It was composed in 1956 and premiered on May 6, 1957, by the San Francisco Symphony Orchestra under the direction of Enrique Jordá. The piece is divided into three movements and has a total duration of approximately 20 minutes. The first movement, titled "The Hero Sun," is characterized by its energetic and rhythmic nature. It features a driving ostinato in the percussion section, which is contrasted by soaring melodies in the brass and woodwinds. The movement builds to a powerful climax before subsiding into a quiet coda. The second movement, titled "The Mystic Sun," is more introspective in nature. It features a haunting melody in the strings, which is accompanied by delicate percussion and woodwind textures. The movement has a dreamlike quality and is characterized by its use of extended techniques, such as glissandi and harmonics. The final movement, titled "The Setting Sun," is the most dramatic of the three. It begins with a mournful melody in the strings, which is gradually taken up by the rest of the orchestra. The movement builds to a frenzied climax before subsiding into a quiet coda, which features a solo violin playing a haunting melody. Overall, The Hero Sun, HC 354/2 is a powerful and evocative work that showcases Cowell's unique approach to orchestration and his ability to create vivid musical landscapes. It is a testament to Cowell's status as one of the most innovative and influential American composers of the 20th century.

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