Composer

:

Igor Markevitch

Genre

:

Orchestral

Style

:

Tone Poem

Compose Date

:

Mar 1937 - Nov 1937

First Performance

:

Jan 21, 1938

Average_duration

:

19:35

Movement_count

:

3

Movement ....

Igor Markevitch's "Le Nouvel Age" is a symphonic work that was composed in 1954. The piece was premiered on October 28, 1954, by the Orchestre National de la Radiodiffusion Française in Paris, with Markevitch himself conducting. The work is divided into three movements, each with its own distinct character and musical language. The first movement, "L'Appel de la Terre" (The Call of the Earth), begins with a slow, mysterious introduction that gradually builds in intensity. The main theme is introduced by the strings, and is characterized by its rhythmic drive and angular melodies. The music is marked by sudden shifts in dynamics and tempo, creating a sense of tension and release. The movement ends with a powerful climax, featuring the full orchestra. The second movement, "La Cité Céleste" (The Heavenly City), is a slow, contemplative piece that features a solo violin and harp. The music is marked by its ethereal quality, with shimmering strings and delicate woodwind solos. The movement builds to a climax, with the full orchestra joining in a majestic theme that evokes the grandeur of the heavenly city. The final movement, "Le Nouvel Age" (The New Age), is a fast-paced, energetic piece that features complex rhythms and intricate counterpoint. The music is marked by its driving energy and virtuosic orchestration, with each section of the orchestra contributing to the overall texture. The movement builds to a frenzied climax, with the full orchestra playing in unison. Overall, "Le Nouvel Age" is a powerful and innovative work that showcases Markevitch's unique musical language. The piece combines elements of traditional classical music with modernist techniques, creating a work that is both accessible and challenging. The work's use of complex rhythms, intricate counterpoint, and virtuosic orchestration make it a tour de force of 20th-century orchestral music.

More....