Kay Johannsen
The Great Wall
Works Info
Composer:Kay JohannsenGenre:KeyboardCompose Date:2015Average_duration:8:01"The Great Wall" is a contemporary classical composition by German composer Kay Johannsen. It was composed in 2006 and premiered on October 28, 2006, at the Frauenkirche in Dresden, Germany. The piece is divided into three movements and has a total duration of approximately 25 minutes. The first movement, titled "The Great Wall," is characterized by a driving rhythm and a sense of urgency. The music is meant to evoke the feeling of a journey, with the listener being taken on a musical tour of the Great Wall of China. The movement features a variety of textures, including sweeping string lines and percussive accents. The second movement, titled "The Silk Road," is more contemplative in nature. It features a haunting melody played by the solo violin, which is then echoed by the rest of the orchestra. The music is meant to evoke the sense of mystery and wonder that one might feel while traveling along the ancient Silk Road trade route. The final movement, titled "The Forbidden City," is the most dramatic of the three. It features a powerful brass section and driving percussion, which are meant to evoke the grandeur and majesty of the Forbidden City in Beijing. The movement builds to a thrilling climax before ending with a quiet, reflective coda. Overall, "The Great Wall" is a powerful and evocative piece of music that captures the spirit of ancient China. Its use of traditional Chinese instruments and motifs, combined with Johannsen's contemporary classical style, make it a unique and memorable work.More....