Composer

:

George Walker

Genre

:

Choral

Style

:

Choral

Compose Date

:

2000

Average_duration

:

19:24

Movement_count

:

3

Movement ....

Canvas, for speaking voices, 2 solo tenors, chorus & orchestra is a composition by George Walker, an American composer and pianist. The piece was composed in 1988 and premiered on April 14, 1990, by the Detroit Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Neeme Järvi. The composition consists of three movements, each with its own distinct characteristics. The first movement, titled "The Canvas," is a spoken-word piece that features a narrator reciting a poem about the creation of a painting. The music is sparse and atmospheric, with the orchestra providing a backdrop of sustained chords and gentle percussion. The second movement, titled "The Painters," features two solo tenors singing a duet. The music is more melodic and lyrical than the first movement, with the tenors trading off lines and harmonizing together. The chorus enters towards the end of the movement, adding a layer of texture and depth to the music. The final movement, titled "The Painting," is the most complex and dynamic of the three. It features the full orchestra and chorus, with the solo tenors returning to sing a final duet. The music is grand and sweeping, with the orchestra and chorus building to a powerful climax. Overall, Canvas is a unique and innovative composition that blends spoken word, singing, and orchestral music. It showcases George Walker's skill as a composer and his ability to create music that is both intellectually stimulating and emotionally resonant.

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