Composer

:

Ellen Taaffe Zwilich

Genre

:

Concerto

Style

:

Concerto Grosso

Compose Date

:

1985

Average_duration

:

14:05

Ellen Taaffe Zwilich's Concerto Grosso is a composition for string orchestra and solo violin, viola, and cello. It was composed in 1985 and premiered on March 7, 1985, by the New York Philharmonic under the direction of Zubin Mehta. The concerto is divided into three movements. The first movement, marked "Allegro," is characterized by its energetic and rhythmic drive. The soloists engage in a lively dialogue with the orchestra, with each instrument taking turns leading the conversation. The movement is structured in a traditional sonata form, with a lively exposition, a lyrical development section, and a triumphant recapitulation. The second movement, marked "Lento," is a hauntingly beautiful adagio. The soloists take center stage, with the orchestra providing a delicate and supportive accompaniment. The movement is characterized by its lush harmonies and expressive melodies, which are passed between the soloists. The final movement, marked "Allegro molto," is a lively and playful romp. The soloists engage in a spirited game of musical tag, with each instrument chasing and being chased by the others. The movement is characterized by its rhythmic vitality and virtuosic solo passages. Overall, Zwilich's Concerto Grosso is a masterful example of the concerto grosso form, which was popular in the Baroque era. The concerto grosso features a small group of soloists (the "concertino") who engage in a musical dialogue with the larger orchestra (the "ripieno"). Zwilich's concerto updates this form for the modern era, with a fresh and contemporary sound that showcases the virtuosity of the soloists and the richness of the string orchestra.

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