Composer

:

Oliver Knussen

Genre

:

Chamber

Style

:

Chamber Music

Compose Date

:

1995

Average_duration

:

3:04

'...upon one note, fantazia after Purcell' is a contemporary classical composition by British composer Oliver Knussen. The piece was composed in 1995 and premiered on October 26th of the same year at the Royal Festival Hall in London, performed by the London Sinfonietta. The composition is a tribute to the English Baroque composer Henry Purcell, specifically his piece 'Fantazia upon One Note'. Knussen's work takes the opening note of Purcell's piece and expands it into a 15-minute composition for chamber orchestra. The piece is divided into three movements, each exploring different textures and harmonies. The first movement is slow and contemplative, with the opening note sustained throughout. The second movement is more lively and rhythmic, with the orchestra building up to a climax before subsiding back into the opening note. The final movement is a return to the slow and contemplative mood of the first movement, with the opening note gradually fading away. Knussen's composition is characterized by its use of intricate harmonies and textures, as well as its exploration of the possibilities of a single note. The piece is also notable for its use of silence, with moments of stillness punctuating the music. Overall, '...upon one note, fantazia after Purcell' is a masterful tribute to Purcell's original composition, while also showcasing Knussen's own unique voice as a composer.

More....