Composer

:

Joseph Holbrooke

Genre

:

Miscellaneous

Style

:

Miscellaneous

Average_duration

:

14:43

"The Birds of Rhiannon, Op. 87" is a symphonic poem composed by Joseph Holbrooke in 1921. It premiered on October 27, 1921, at the Queen's Hall in London, conducted by Albert Coates. The piece is divided into four movements, each depicting a different bird from Welsh mythology. The first movement, "The Birds of Rhiannon," is a slow and mysterious introduction that sets the tone for the rest of the piece. It features a haunting melody played by the English horn, which represents the birds of Rhiannon, a group of magical birds that can wake the dead and put the living to sleep. The second movement, "Bran the Blessed," is a lively and energetic scherzo that depicts the giant raven Bran, who is said to have protected Britain from invasion. The music is full of rhythmic energy and features a prominent role for the percussion section. The third movement, "Nisien and Efnisien," is a dark and brooding adagio that tells the story of two brothers who bring about the destruction of their kingdom through their jealousy and greed. The music is full of dissonance and tension, reflecting the tragic nature of the story. The final movement, "The Birds of Fate," is a triumphant and uplifting finale that brings the piece to a close. It features a soaring melody played by the strings, which represents the birds of fate, a group of magical birds that can predict the future. Overall, "The Birds of Rhiannon, Op. 87" is a powerful and evocative work that showcases Holbrooke's skill as a composer. The piece is full of vivid imagery and rich orchestration, and it remains one of his most popular works to this day.

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