Composer

:

Percy Grainger

Genre

:

Choral

Style

:

Song

Compose Date

:

1910 - 1911

Average_duration

:

4:04

After-word is a composition for solo piano by Percy Grainger. It was composed in 1949 and premiered on May 3, 1951, at the Royal Festival Hall in London, England. The piece is divided into three movements and has a total duration of approximately 12 minutes. The first movement, marked "Slow and dreamy," is characterized by its ethereal and introspective mood. The music is built around a simple, repeating melody that is gradually developed and transformed throughout the movement. Grainger employs a variety of pianistic techniques, including delicate arpeggios, rolling chords, and shimmering tremolos, to create a sense of otherworldly beauty. The second movement, marked "Quick and light," is a lively and playful scherzo. The music is full of rhythmic energy and features a number of syncopated rhythms and unexpected accents. Grainger also incorporates elements of folk music into the movement, including a lively jig-like melody that is introduced midway through. The final movement, marked "Slow and sustained," is a hauntingly beautiful meditation on the opening melody of the first movement. Grainger explores the melody in a variety of different keys and registers, creating a sense of harmonic ambiguity and emotional depth. The music gradually builds in intensity before subsiding into a quiet and introspective coda. Overall, After-word is a deeply personal and introspective work that showcases Grainger's unique blend of folk-inspired melodies, impressionistic harmonies, and virtuosic pianism. The piece is a testament to Grainger's lifelong commitment to exploring new musical ideas and pushing the boundaries of traditional classical music.

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