Composer

:

Charles Tomlinson Griffes

Genre

:

Vocal

Style

:

Vocal Music

Compose Date

:

May 31, 1912

Publication Date

:

1986

Average_duration

:

2:17

"Cleopatra to the Asp, A. add 5" is a composition by American composer Charles Tomlinson Griffes. It was composed in 1917 and premiered in New York City on March 10, 1918. The piece is a single-movement work for solo piano and is approximately six minutes in length. The piece is characterized by its evocative and dramatic qualities, which are intended to convey the story of Cleopatra's suicide by asp. The opening section of the piece is marked "Lento misterioso" and features a haunting melody in the right hand accompanied by a series of dissonant chords in the left hand. This section sets the mood for the piece and establishes a sense of foreboding. The middle section of the piece is marked "Allegro con fuoco" and features a faster, more frenzied tempo. This section is intended to represent the moment when Cleopatra decides to take her own life and is characterized by its intense, driving rhythms and virtuosic piano writing. The final section of the piece is marked "Lento misterioso" and returns to the mood of the opening section. This section features a series of descending arpeggios in the right hand that are meant to represent the descent of the asp into Cleopatra's body. The piece ends with a series of soft, dissonant chords that fade away into silence. Overall, "Cleopatra to the Asp, A. add 5" is a powerful and evocative work that showcases Griffes' skill as a composer and his ability to create vivid musical narratives. Its use of dissonance, rhythmic intensity, and virtuosic piano writing make it a challenging and rewarding piece for performers and listeners alike.

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