Composer

:

Irving Fine

Genre

:

Vocal

Style

:

Vocal Music

Compose Date

:

1942

Average_duration

:

9:28

Movement_count

:

3

Movement ....

Irving Fine's 'Choruses (3) from Alice in Wonderland, Series 1 for 3-4' is a choral work that was composed in 1949. The piece was premiered on May 4, 1952, by the New York Concert Choir under the direction of Margaret Hillis. The work is divided into three movements, each of which is based on a different text from Lewis Carroll's 'Alice in Wonderland.' The first movement, titled 'The Lobster Quadrille,' is a lively and rhythmic setting of the poem of the same name. The music is characterized by its playful and whimsical nature, with the choir imitating the sounds of the sea and the movements of the lobsters. The movement features a call-and-response structure, with the choir alternating between singing the main melody and responding to it with rhythmic interjections. The second movement, 'The Mouse's Tale,' is a more introspective and melancholic setting of the poem of the same name. The music is characterized by its haunting harmonies and sparse textures, with the choir singing in a hushed and mournful tone. The movement features a through-composed structure, with the choir gradually building to a climax before fading away into silence. The third and final movement, 'Jabberwocky,' is a dramatic and virtuosic setting of the famous nonsense poem. The music is characterized by its driving rhythms and dissonant harmonies, with the choir singing in a declamatory and theatrical style. The movement features a rondo-like structure, with the choir returning to the main theme after each section of the poem. Overall, 'Choruses (3) from Alice in Wonderland, Series 1 for 3-4' is a charming and inventive choral work that showcases Irving Fine's skill as a composer. The piece is notable for its imaginative use of text painting and its ability to capture the whimsical and surreal nature of Lewis Carroll's writing.

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