Composer

:

Vincent Persichetti

Genre

:

Concerto

Style

:

Character Piece

Compose Date

:

1948

Average_duration

:

8:05

Vincent Persichetti's 'The Hollow Men, Op. 25' is a choral work that was composed in 1945. The piece is based on T.S. Eliot's poem of the same name, which was published in 1925. The premiere of the work was given by the Westminster Choir under the direction of John Finley Williamson on May 4, 1946, at the Westminster Choir College in Princeton, New Jersey. The piece is divided into three movements, each of which is characterized by a different mood and musical style. The first movement, marked "Lento," is somber and mournful, with the choir singing in unison and accompanied by a sparse, dissonant piano part. The second movement, marked "Allegro," is more lively and rhythmic, with the choir singing in a more complex, contrapuntal style. The final movement, marked "Lento," returns to the mournful mood of the first movement, with the choir singing in a more complex, harmonically rich style. The piece is characterized by Persichetti's use of dissonance and complex harmonies, which create a sense of tension and unease throughout the work. The use of unison singing in the first movement and complex counterpoint in the second movement also contribute to the sense of tension and complexity in the piece. The final movement, with its rich harmonies and mournful mood, provides a sense of resolution and closure to the work. Overall, 'The Hollow Men, Op. 25' is a powerful and emotionally charged choral work that showcases Persichetti's skill as a composer and his ability to create complex, nuanced musical textures. Its premiere in 1946 was a significant event in the history of American choral music, and the piece continues to be performed and studied by choirs and music scholars today.

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