Composer

:

Antonin Dvorák

Genre

:

Orchestral

Style

:

Tone Poem

Compose Date

:

Jan 11, 1896 - Feb 27, 1896

Publication Date

:

1896

First Performance

:

Jun 3, 1896

Average_duration

:

13:38

Antonin Dvorák's "The Noon Witch, B. 196, Op. 108" is a symphonic poem that was composed in 1896. It premiered on March 25, 1896, in Prague, conducted by the composer himself. The piece is based on a Czech folk tale about a mother who threatens her misbehaving child with the Noon Witch, a supernatural being who comes at noon to take away naughty children. The piece is divided into four movements, each representing a different aspect of the story. The first movement, marked "Allegro," introduces the main theme, which represents the mother's warning to her child. The music is tense and foreboding, with a sense of impending danger. The second movement, marked "Andante," represents the child's fear as he hears the Noon Witch approaching. The music is slow and mournful, with a haunting melody played by the English horn. The strings provide a sense of unease, with dissonant harmonies and tremolo passages. The third movement, marked "Allegro vivo," represents the Noon Witch's arrival and the child's struggle to escape. The music is fast and frenzied, with a driving rhythm and a sense of urgency. The brass section provides a sense of power and menace, while the strings and woodwinds create a sense of chaos and confusion. The final movement, marked "Andante sostenuto," represents the aftermath of the encounter. The music is slow and mournful, with a sense of loss and regret. The English horn returns with a variation of the main theme, now played in a minor key. The piece ends with a sense of resignation and acceptance. Overall, "The Noon Witch" is a powerful and evocative piece of music that captures the dark and mysterious world of Czech folklore. Dvorák's use of orchestration and harmony creates a sense of tension and drama, while his melodic writing provides a sense of emotional depth and complexity.

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