Composer

:

George Antheil

Genre

:

Symphony

Style

:

Symphony

Compose Date

:

1947 - 1948

Publication Date

:

1954

First Performance

:

Feb 10, 1949

Average_duration

:

25:57

George Antheil's Symphony for Orchestra No. 6 after Delacroix, W. 190 was composed in 1950 and premiered on January 18, 1951, by the New York Philharmonic under the direction of Dimitri Mitropoulos. The symphony is a tribute to the French Romantic painter Eugène Delacroix, whose works Antheil admired greatly. The symphony is divided into four movements, each of which is named after a painting by Delacroix. The first movement, "The Barque of Dante," is a dark and brooding piece that captures the tumultuous emotions of Dante's journey through Hell. The second movement, "The Death of Sardanapalus," is a frenzied and chaotic piece that reflects the violence and passion of the painting. The third movement, "Liberty Leading the People," is a triumphant and patriotic piece that celebrates the French Revolution and the ideals of liberty and equality. The final movement, "The Women of Algiers," is a sensual and exotic piece that captures the beauty and mystery of the harem. Antheil's Symphony for Orchestra No. 6 after Delacroix is characterized by its bold and colorful orchestration, its use of dissonance and unconventional harmonies, and its dramatic and emotional intensity. The symphony is a testament to Antheil's unique style and his ability to blend classical and modernist elements into a cohesive and powerful work of art.

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