Composer

:

Michael Berkeley

Genre

:

Orchestral

Style

:

Orchestral

Average_duration

:

9:15

Coronach is a contemporary classical composition by Michael Berkeley, a British composer born in 1948. The piece was composed in 1990 and premiered on 22nd November of the same year at the Royal Festival Hall in London. It was commissioned by the London Philharmonic Orchestra and conducted by Franz Welser-Möst. Coronach is a single-movement work that lasts approximately 15 minutes. The title of the piece is derived from the Scottish word for a lament sung at a funeral. The composition is a tribute to Berkeley's father, the composer Lennox Berkeley, who had passed away a few years before the piece was written. The piece begins with a slow and mournful melody played by the strings, which sets the somber tone of the piece. The melody is then taken up by the woodwinds and brass, creating a rich and layered texture. The music gradually builds in intensity, with the percussion adding a sense of urgency and tension. The middle section of the piece features a solo violin, which plays a haunting and melancholic melody. This section is particularly poignant, as it represents Berkeley's personal grief and loss. The solo violin is then joined by the rest of the orchestra, creating a powerful and emotional climax. The final section of the piece returns to the opening melody, but this time it is played with greater intensity and urgency. The music builds to a dramatic and powerful conclusion, with the percussion and brass creating a sense of grandeur and majesty. Overall, Coronach is a deeply emotional and moving piece of music. It is characterized by its mournful melodies, rich harmonies, and powerful climaxes. The piece is a testament to Berkeley's skill as a composer, as well as his ability to convey complex emotions through music.

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