Composer

:

Bernard Herrmann

Genre

:

Choral

Style

:

Cantata

Compose Date

:

1936 - 1938

Average_duration

:

46:57

Moby Dick is a symphonic suite composed by Bernard Herrmann in 1974. The piece was premiered on April 18, 1974, by the London Philharmonic Orchestra, conducted by the composer himself. The suite is based on the novel of the same name by Herman Melville, which tells the story of Captain Ahab's obsessive quest for revenge against the white whale, Moby Dick. The suite is divided into four movements, each representing a different aspect of the story. The first movement, "The Sea," is a depiction of the vastness and power of the ocean. It begins with a slow, ominous theme played by the low strings, which gradually builds in intensity as the rest of the orchestra joins in. The movement features a prominent use of percussion, including timpani, snare drum, and cymbals, to create the sound of crashing waves. The second movement, "The Pequod," is a musical portrait of the ship and its crew. It begins with a lively, jaunty theme played by the woodwinds, which is then taken up by the rest of the orchestra. The movement features a number of solos for various instruments, including the clarinet, oboe, and trumpet, which represent different members of the crew. The third movement, "The Chase," is a thrilling depiction of the hunt for Moby Dick. It begins with a fast, frenzied theme played by the strings, which is then taken up by the brass and percussion. The movement features a number of sudden shifts in tempo and dynamics, as well as a number of virtuosic solos for various instruments, including the violin and trumpet. The final movement, "The Whale," is a musical portrait of Moby Dick himself. It begins with a slow, mournful theme played by the strings, which gradually builds in intensity as the rest of the orchestra joins in. The movement features a number of eerie, otherworldly sounds, including the use of the theremin, an electronic instrument that creates a haunting, ethereal sound. Overall, Moby Dick is a powerful and evocative piece of music that captures the drama and intensity of Melville's novel. Herrmann's use of orchestration and his ability to create vivid musical portraits of the various characters and settings in the story make this suite a true masterpiece of 20th-century music.

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