Composer

:

Karl Ditters von Dittersdorf

Genre

:

Symphony

Style

:

Symphony

Compose Date

:

1783

Average_duration

:

18:05

Movement_count

:

4

Movement ....

Karl Ditters von Dittersdorf's Symphony after Ovid's Metamorphoses No. 6 in D major, also known as Die Versteinerung des Phineus und seiner Freunde, was composed in 1783. The symphony premiered in Vienna, Austria, and was well-received by audiences and critics alike. The symphony is divided into four movements, each of which depicts a different scene from Ovid's Metamorphoses. The first movement, marked Allegro, portrays the transformation of Phineus and his friends into stone. The music is dramatic and intense, with sudden shifts in dynamics and tempo that reflect the chaos of the scene. The second movement, marked Andante, depicts the grief of Phineus' wife, who is left alone after her husband's transformation. The music is mournful and melancholy, with long, flowing melodies that evoke a sense of sadness and loss. The third movement, marked Menuetto, is a lively dance that represents the celebration of the gods after Phineus and his friends are turned to stone. The music is upbeat and energetic, with a playful, almost whimsical quality that reflects the joy of the occasion. The final movement, marked Allegro assai, is a triumphant finale that celebrates the power of the gods and their ability to transform mortals. The music is grand and majestic, with soaring melodies and bold, sweeping gestures that convey a sense of awe and wonder. Overall, Dittersdorf's Symphony after Ovid's Metamorphoses No. 6 in D major is a masterful work that showcases the composer's skill and creativity. The music is richly textured and full of vivid imagery, bringing to life the scenes from Ovid's epic poem in a way that is both powerful and moving.

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