Composer

:

William Walton

Genre

:

Orchestral

Style

:

Overture: Concert

Compose Date

:

1924 - 1925

Average_duration

:

6:04

'Portsmouth Point' is a lively and energetic orchestral piece composed by William Walton in 1925. The piece was premiered on 22nd June 1926 at the Queen's Hall in London, conducted by the composer himself. It is a single-movement work that lasts for approximately 6 minutes. The piece is inspired by the bustling and lively atmosphere of Portsmouth, a port city on the south coast of England. The music captures the energy and excitement of the city, with its bustling streets, busy docks, and lively markets. The piece is full of rhythmic vitality, with driving rhythms and syncopated accents that give it a sense of urgency and excitement. The piece is scored for a large orchestra, including brass, woodwinds, percussion, and strings. The opening section features a lively and syncopated theme played by the brass and woodwinds, which is then taken up by the strings. This theme is then developed and expanded upon throughout the piece, with various sections of the orchestra taking turns to play it. The middle section of the piece features a slower and more lyrical theme, played by the strings. This section provides a contrast to the energetic opening, and allows the listener to catch their breath before the final section. The final section of the piece is a frenzied and exhilarating finale, with all sections of the orchestra coming together to play the main theme in a fast and furious manner. The piece ends with a bang, with the brass and percussion bringing the piece to a thrilling conclusion. Overall, 'Portsmouth Point' is a dynamic and exciting piece of music that captures the energy and vitality of a bustling port city. Its driving rhythms and syncopated accents make it a thrilling and exhilarating piece to listen to, and it remains a popular work in the orchestral repertoire to this day.

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