Composer

:

Stefan Wolpe

Genre

:

Ballet

Style

:

Ballet

Compose Date

:

1942

Average_duration

:

19:11

Movement_count

:

8

Movement ....

The Man from Midian is a ballet suite for orchestra composed by Stefan Wolpe in 1942. The ballet tells the story of Moses, who flees from Egypt to Midian after killing an Egyptian taskmaster. In Midian, he marries Zipporah, the daughter of a local priest, and becomes a shepherd. One day, he encounters a burning bush that speaks to him and tells him to return to Egypt to free the Israelites from slavery. The ballet suite is divided into four movements, each representing a different aspect of the story. The first movement, "Flight to Midian," is a fast-paced and dramatic piece that captures the urgency of Moses' escape from Egypt. The second movement, "The Shepherd's Life," is a slower and more contemplative piece that reflects Moses' new life as a shepherd in Midian. The third movement, "The Burning Bush," is the centerpiece of the ballet suite. It is a haunting and mystical piece that captures the awe and wonder of Moses' encounter with the divine. The final movement, "The Exodus," is a triumphant and energetic piece that represents the Israelites' journey out of Egypt and towards freedom. The Man from Midian was premiered by the New York Philharmonic under the direction of Artur Rodzinski in 1944. The ballet suite was well-received by audiences and critics alike, with many praising Wolpe's innovative use of rhythm and harmony. One of the characteristics of The Man from Midian is its use of dissonance and complex rhythms. Wolpe was known for his avant-garde approach to composition, and The Man from Midian is no exception. The ballet suite features intricate polyrhythms and unconventional harmonies that create a sense of tension and unease. Overall, The Man from Midian is a powerful and evocative ballet suite that captures the drama and mysticism of the story of Moses. Its innovative use of rhythm and harmony make it a unique and compelling work in the canon of 20th-century classical music.

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