Composer

:

George Crumb

Genre

:

Keyboard

Compose Date

:

2015 -
2017

Average_duration

:

39:31

Movement_count

:

10

Movement ....

Metamorphoses, Book 1 is a composition for amplified piano by American composer George Crumb. It was composed in 1957 and premiered in 1959 by pianist David Burge. The piece is divided into five movements, each of which is based on a different mythological figure from Ovid's Metamorphoses. The first movement, "Actaeon," is characterized by its use of extended techniques, including plucking and strumming the strings inside the piano. The second movement, "Phaeton," features a driving rhythm and a sense of urgency, as if the listener is riding along with the titular character in his ill-fated attempt to drive the sun chariot. The third movement, "Niobe," is more introspective, with a haunting melody and a sense of mourning. The fourth movement, "Tithonus," is perhaps the most experimental of the five, with the pianist using a variety of objects to create percussive sounds on the piano strings. The final movement, "Arethusa," is more lyrical and melodic, with a sense of resolution and acceptance. Overall, Metamorphoses, Book 1 is a challenging and innovative work that showcases Crumb's unique approach to composition. By using extended techniques and unconventional sounds, he creates a sense of otherworldliness that is perfectly suited to the mythological subject matter. Despite its difficulty, the piece has become a staple of the contemporary piano repertoire and continues to be performed and studied by pianists around the world.

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