Composer

:

Anton Arensky

Genre

:

Choral

Style

:

Choral

Compose Date

:

1899

Anton Arensky's "Bakhchisarayskiy fontan, Op. 46" is a suite for orchestra that was composed in 1905. The piece was inspired by Alexander Pushkin's poem "The Fountain of Bakhchisaray," which tells the story of a young Polish woman who is kidnapped by a Tatar prince and taken to his palace in Bakhchisaray. The suite is divided into four movements, each of which represents a different aspect of the story. The first movement, "Introduction," sets the scene with a slow, mournful melody played by the strings. This is followed by a faster, more energetic section that represents the Tatar prince and his court. The second movement, "Dance of the Brides," is a lively and playful dance that represents the young women who are brought to the palace to be the prince's wives. The music is light and airy, with a prominent flute melody. The third movement, "The Tatar's Love," is a slow and romantic piece that represents the prince's love for the Polish woman. The music is lush and expressive, with a soaring violin melody. The final movement, "Finale," is a fast and energetic piece that represents the tragic end of the story. The music is full of tension and drama, with a driving rhythm and powerful brass and percussion. Overall, "Bakhchisarayskiy fontan, Op. 46" is a beautiful and evocative piece of music that captures the spirit of Pushkin's poem. Arensky's use of melody, harmony, and orchestration creates a vivid and emotional portrait of the story, and the suite remains a popular and beloved work in the orchestral repertoire.

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