Composer

:

Ernest Schelling

Genre

:

Miscellaneous

Style

:

Nocturne

Compose Date

:

1926

Average_duration

:

6:19

Ernest Schelling was an American pianist, composer, and conductor who lived from 1876 to 1939. He was known for his virtuosic piano playing and his compositions, which often incorporated elements of impressionism and romanticism. One of his most famous works is the "Nocturne à Ragusa," which was composed in 1904. The "Nocturne à Ragusa" is a single-movement piano piece that is approximately six minutes long. It is named after the city of Ragusa, which is now known as Dubrovnik and is located in Croatia. The piece is characterized by its dreamy, impressionistic style and its use of chromatic harmonies and rich textures. The piece begins with a slow, melancholy melody that is played in the right hand. The left hand provides a gentle accompaniment with arpeggiated chords. As the piece progresses, the melody becomes more complex and the harmonies become more dissonant. The middle section of the piece features a faster, more rhythmic melody that is played in the left hand while the right hand provides a swirling, arpeggiated accompaniment. The final section of the piece returns to the slower, more melancholy melody of the beginning. However, the harmonies are now even more dissonant and the textures are more complex. The piece ends with a quiet, unresolved chord that leaves the listener with a sense of longing and melancholy. The "Nocturne à Ragusa" was premiered by Schelling himself in 1904. It quickly became one of his most popular compositions and was frequently performed by other pianists as well. Today, it is still considered one of Schelling's most important works and is often included in recitals and recordings of impressionistic piano music.

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