Composer

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Tobias Matthay

Genre

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Keyboard

On Surrey Hills, Op. 30 is a piano suite composed by Tobias Matthay, a British pianist and composer, in 1907. The suite consists of four movements, each depicting a different scene from the Surrey Hills, a range of hills located in southeastern England. The first movement, "Dawn on the Hills," is a tranquil and peaceful depiction of the sunrise over the hills. The music is characterized by gentle arpeggios and flowing melodies, creating a sense of calm and serenity. The second movement, "The Brook," is a lively and playful piece that captures the energy and movement of a babbling brook. The music is characterized by rapid arpeggios and cascading runs, evoking the sound of rushing water. The third movement, "The Windmill," is a more contemplative piece that depicts the stillness and solitude of a windmill on the hills. The music is characterized by slow, sustained chords and delicate melodies, creating a sense of introspection and reflection. The final movement, "The Storm," is a dramatic and intense piece that captures the power and fury of a thunderstorm over the hills. The music is characterized by crashing chords, rapid runs, and dissonant harmonies, creating a sense of chaos and turmoil. On Surrey Hills, Op. 30 premiered in London in 1907, and quickly became a popular piece among pianists and audiences alike. The suite is notable for its vivid depictions of nature, and for its use of impressionistic techniques such as fluid harmonies, delicate textures, and evocative melodies.

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