Composer

:

Robert Beaser

Genre

:

Chamber

Style

:

Sonata

Average_duration

:

4:00

Robert Beaser's "The Old Men Admiring Themselves in the Water" is a contemporary classical composition for string quartet. It was composed in 1984 and premiered on March 17, 1985, by the Muir String Quartet at the Library of Congress in Washington, D.C. The piece is divided into three movements, each with its own distinct character. The first movement, "Lento," is slow and contemplative, with long, sustained notes and a mournful melody. The second movement, "Allegro," is fast and lively, with a playful, dance-like rhythm. The final movement, "Adagio," is slow and introspective, with a haunting melody that builds to a powerful climax before fading away. The title of the piece is taken from a poem by W.B. Yeats, which describes a group of old men admiring their reflections in a pool of water. Beaser's composition captures the sense of reflection and introspection suggested by the poem, with its slow, contemplative passages and haunting melodies. Overall, "The Old Men Admiring Themselves in the Water" is a beautiful and evocative piece of music that showcases Beaser's skill as a composer. Its three movements offer a range of emotions and moods, from mournful introspection to playful exuberance, making it a rewarding listening experience for fans of contemporary classical music.

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