Composer

:

Percy Grainger

Genre

:

Band

Style

:

Song: Folk Song

Compose Date

:

1919 - 1941

Average_duration

:

4:12

Spoon River, for band, is a composition by Percy Grainger, an Australian-born composer, pianist, and conductor. The piece was composed in 1929 and premiered on May 11, 1930, by the Goldman Band in New York City. The composition is divided into four movements, each of which is based on a poem from Edgar Lee Masters' Spoon River Anthology. The first movement, "The Hill," is a slow and mournful piece that sets the tone for the rest of the work. The second movement, "O, Carl Sandburg," is a lively and energetic tribute to the poet Carl Sandburg. The third movement, "The Water," is a serene and peaceful piece that evokes the calmness of a river. The final movement, "The Spoon River," is a grand and majestic piece that brings the work to a triumphant close. One of the characteristics of Spoon River is Grainger's use of folk melodies and rhythms. He was known for his interest in folk music and often incorporated it into his compositions. In Spoon River, he uses folk melodies from the American Midwest, where the Spoon River is located. Another characteristic of the piece is its use of unconventional instrumentation. Grainger was known for his experimentation with different instruments and in Spoon River, he includes instruments such as the saxophone, the bass saxophone, and the euphonium. Overall, Spoon River, for band, is a powerful and emotional work that showcases Grainger's unique style and his love for folk music. It has become a staple of the band repertoire and is still performed today.

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