Composer

:

Christopher Rouse

Genre

:

Orchestral

Compose Date

:

2013

First Performance

:

April 4, 2014

Average_duration

:

14:11

"Supplica" is a composition for solo cello and orchestra, composed by Christopher Rouse in 2007. The piece was premiered on March 1, 2008, by the New York Philharmonic, with cellist Carter Brey as the soloist and Alan Gilbert as the conductor. The composition consists of a single movement, divided into three sections. The first section is marked "Lento," and begins with a mournful cello solo, accompanied by soft, sustained chords in the orchestra. The music gradually builds in intensity, with the cello playing increasingly virtuosic passages, while the orchestra provides a rich, harmonic backdrop. The second section is marked "Allegro," and features a lively, rhythmic theme in the orchestra, with the cello playing a more subdued, lyrical melody on top. The two themes intertwine and develop, with the cello gradually taking on a more prominent role, until the orchestra drops out entirely, leaving the soloist to play a cadenza. The final section is marked "Adagio," and returns to the mournful, introspective mood of the opening. The cello plays a series of plaintive, descending melodies, while the orchestra provides a shimmering, ethereal accompaniment. The music gradually fades away, ending on a quiet, unresolved chord. "Supplica" is characterized by its emotional intensity and expressive power. Rouse's use of rich, complex harmonies and soaring melodies creates a sense of yearning and longing, while the virtuosic cello writing adds a sense of urgency and drama. The piece is a powerful showcase for the soloist, requiring both technical skill and emotional depth. Overall, "Supplica" is a deeply moving work that explores the full range of the cello's expressive capabilities.

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