Composer

:

Roy Harris

Genre

:

Symphony

Style

:

Symphony

Compose Date

:

1943 - 1944

Average_duration

:

28:25

Movement_count

:

4

Movement ....

Symphony No. 6 Gettysburg is a composition by American composer Roy Harris. It was composed in 1944 and premiered on November 19, 1944, by the Boston Symphony Orchestra under the direction of Serge Koussevitzky. The symphony is divided into four movements and has a total duration of approximately 35 minutes. The first movement, titled "The Conflict," is marked by a sense of tension and struggle. It begins with a slow, ominous introduction that gradually builds in intensity, leading to a fast and frenzied main section. The music is characterized by driving rhythms, dissonant harmonies, and a sense of urgency. The second movement, titled "The Battlefield," is a slow and mournful elegy. It features a haunting melody played by the strings, accompanied by a simple and somber accompaniment. The music is marked by a sense of sadness and loss, evoking the solemnity of a battlefield. The third movement, titled "The Memories," is a nostalgic and reflective interlude. It features a lyrical melody played by the woodwinds, accompanied by a gentle and flowing accompaniment. The music is characterized by a sense of longing and reminiscence, evoking the memories of those who fought and died in the Civil War. The fourth and final movement, titled "The Dedication," is a triumphant and celebratory finale. It features a majestic and uplifting melody played by the brass, accompanied by a powerful and driving accompaniment. The music is marked by a sense of pride and patriotism, evoking the dedication of the soldiers who fought and died at Gettysburg. Overall, Symphony No. 6 Gettysburg is a powerful and evocative work that captures the spirit of the Civil War and the Battle of Gettysburg. It is characterized by its dramatic contrasts, driving rhythms, and soaring melodies, and is considered one of Harris's most important and enduring works.

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