Composer

:

John Dankworth

Genre

:

Concerto

Style

:

Concerto

Compose Date

:

1996

Average_duration

:

10:55

John Dankworth's 'Butterflies' is a jazz suite composed in 1959. It premiered on November 12, 1959, at the Royal Festival Hall in London, England. The suite consists of six movements, each of which is inspired by a different species of butterfly. The first movement, 'Swallowtail', is a lively and upbeat piece that captures the energy and agility of the butterfly it is named after. The second movement, 'Moth', is a slower and more contemplative piece that reflects the delicate and ethereal nature of the moth. The third movement, 'Skipper', is a playful and whimsical piece that captures the erratic and unpredictable movements of the skipper butterfly. The fourth movement, 'Cabbage White', is a light and airy piece that reflects the gentle and graceful flight of the cabbage white butterfly. The fifth movement, 'Peacock', is a bold and majestic piece that captures the vibrant colors and regal presence of the peacock butterfly. The final movement, 'Monarch', is a grand and sweeping piece that reflects the epic journey of the monarch butterfly as it migrates across vast distances. Overall, 'Butterflies' is a masterful work of jazz composition that showcases Dankworth's skill and creativity as a composer. Each movement is distinct and memorable, capturing the unique characteristics of each butterfly species in a way that is both musically engaging and emotionally resonant.

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