Composer

:

Jean Sibelius

Genre

:

Orchestral

Style

:

Suite

Compose Date

:

1927

Average_duration

:

16:41

Movement_count

:

9

Movement ....

Jean Sibelius composed 'The Tempest: Suite No. 2, Op. 109/3' in 1925. The suite is based on William Shakespeare's play 'The Tempest' and was premiered on October 19, 1926, in Helsinki, Finland. The suite consists of four movements, each of which represents a different scene from the play. The first movement, titled 'The Oak Tree', is a slow and majestic piece that represents the scene where Prospero, the protagonist of the play, tells his daughter Miranda about his past and how he came to be on the island. The movement begins with a solo cello playing a mournful melody, which is then joined by the rest of the orchestra. The movement builds to a powerful climax before ending with a quiet coda. The second movement, titled 'Caliban's Song', is a lively and rhythmic piece that represents the scene where Caliban, a native of the island, sings a song about his hatred for Prospero. The movement features a prominent percussion section, which provides a driving rhythm throughout. The melody is played by the woodwinds and strings, and the movement ends with a raucous coda. The third movement, titled 'Ariel's Song', is a delicate and ethereal piece that represents the scene where Ariel, a spirit, sings a song about the beauty of the island. The movement features a solo violin playing a haunting melody, which is then joined by the rest of the orchestra. The movement builds to a climax before ending with a quiet coda. The fourth and final movement, titled 'The Harvesters', is a lively and energetic piece that represents the scene where Prospero's enemies are brought to the island and punished. The movement features a prominent brass section, which provides a fanfare-like melody. The movement builds to a powerful climax before ending with a triumphant coda. Overall, 'The Tempest: Suite No. 2, Op. 109/3' is a masterful work that showcases Sibelius's skill as a composer. The suite is notable for its use of orchestration, which effectively captures the mood and atmosphere of each scene from the play. The suite is also notable for its use of melody, which is both memorable and evocative.

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