Composer

:

Jerome Kern

Genre

:

Orchestral

Style

:

Orchestral

Compose Date

:

1942

Average_duration

:

11:11

Movement_count

:

5

Movement ....

Jerome Kern's "Mark Twain Suite" is a four-movement orchestral work that premiered on May 18, 1935, at the New York Philharmonic's 50th anniversary concert. The suite was commissioned by the orchestra to commemorate the 100th anniversary of Mark Twain's birth. The first movement, "The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County," is a lively and playful scherzo that captures the humor and wit of Twain's famous short story. The second movement, "Tom Sawyer," is a nostalgic and lyrical piece that evokes the idyllic small-town setting of Twain's novel. The third movement, "Huckleberry Finn," is a bluesy and soulful piece that reflects the adventurous spirit of the novel's protagonist. The final movement, "Mark Twain," is a grand and majestic tribute to the author himself, featuring a soaring melody and triumphant brass fanfares. Kern's "Mark Twain Suite" is characterized by its colorful orchestration, which includes prominent use of woodwinds and brass, as well as its incorporation of American folk and popular music styles. The suite also showcases Kern's skill as a composer of both musical theater and classical music, as he seamlessly blends elements of both genres throughout the work. Overall, the "Mark Twain Suite" is a fitting tribute to one of America's greatest literary figures, and a testament to Kern's versatility and talent as a composer.

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