Composer

:

Mily Balakirev

Genre

:

Vocal

Style

:

Song

Compose Date

:

1858

Publication Date

:

1859

Average_duration

:

2:24

"Selim's Song" is a piano piece composed by Mily Balakirev in 1863. It was premiered in St. Petersburg in the same year. The piece is part of a larger work called "Islamey," which is a suite of three pieces for piano inspired by the music of the Caucasus and Central Asia. "Selim's Song" is the second movement of "Islamey" and is characterized by its haunting melody and exotic harmonies. The piece is in the key of A minor and is marked "Andantino con moto." The opening theme is played by the right hand and is accompanied by a simple left-hand accompaniment. The melody is then repeated with a more elaborate accompaniment, featuring arpeggios and trills. The middle section of the piece is marked "Poco più mosso" and features a more lively melody in the key of A major. This section is characterized by its use of syncopation and dotted rhythms. The melody is then repeated with a more elaborate accompaniment, featuring rapid arpeggios and runs. The final section of the piece returns to the opening theme, which is played with even more ornamentation and embellishment. The piece ends with a quiet coda, featuring a descending arpeggio in the left hand and a final statement of the melody in the right hand. Overall, "Selim's Song" is a beautiful and evocative piece of music that showcases Balakirev's skill as a composer and his fascination with the music of the Caucasus and Central Asia. Its haunting melody and exotic harmonies make it a favorite among pianists and audiences alike.

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