Composer

:

Constant Lambert

Genre

:

Orchestral

Style

:

Orchestral

Compose Date

:

1924 - 1927

Average_duration

:

8:54

Prize Fight is a ballet composed by Constant Lambert in 1939. It premiered on June 21, 1939, at the Royal Opera House in London, with choreography by Frederick Ashton. The ballet is divided into three movements, each depicting a different aspect of a boxing match. The first movement, "The Boxers," introduces the two boxers and their entourages. The music is lively and rhythmic, with a jazzy feel. The second movement, "The Fight," is the longest and most dramatic of the three. It begins with a slow, ominous introduction, building to a frenzied climax as the boxers engage in a brutal fight. The music is intense and dissonant, with pounding rhythms and jagged melodies. The final movement, "The Aftermath," depicts the aftermath of the fight. The music is slow and mournful, with a sense of sadness and regret. The boxers are shown battered and bruised, and the audience is left to contemplate the human cost of such a violent sport. Prize Fight is notable for its use of jazz and popular music elements, which were unusual in classical ballet at the time. Lambert was a pioneer in incorporating jazz into classical music, and his work on Prize Fight helped to pave the way for later composers such as Leonard Bernstein and George Gershwin. Overall, Prize Fight is a powerful and thought-provoking work that explores the darker side of human nature. Its innovative use of music and dance make it a landmark in the history of ballet.

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