Composer

:

Jonathan Harvey

Genre

:

Chamber

Style

:

Chamber Music

Compose Date

:

1982

Average_duration

:

11:25

"Curve with Plateaux" is a contemporary classical composition by British composer Jonathan Harvey. It was composed in 1982 and premiered on October 28, 1982, at the Queen Elizabeth Hall in London, England. The piece is divided into three movements and has a total duration of approximately 20 minutes. The first movement, titled "Curve," is characterized by a slow and gradual build-up of tension. The music begins with a single note played by the piano, which is then joined by other instruments in a series of overlapping phrases. As the movement progresses, the music becomes more complex and dissonant, with the different instruments playing off each other in a series of interlocking patterns. The second movement, titled "Plateaux," is a more static and meditative section of the piece. The music is characterized by sustained chords and long, drawn-out melodies. The different instruments take turns playing these melodies, creating a sense of ebb and flow throughout the movement. The final movement, titled "Curve with Plateaux," brings together the themes and motifs from the previous two movements. The music begins with a slow and quiet section, which gradually builds in intensity until it reaches a frenzied climax. This is followed by a return to the more meditative and static music of the second movement, before the piece comes to a close with a final burst of energy. Overall, "Curve with Plateaux" is a complex and challenging piece of music that showcases Jonathan Harvey's innovative approach to composition. The use of overlapping patterns and interlocking rhythms creates a sense of tension and release throughout the piece, while the sustained chords and long melodies of the second movement provide a counterpoint to the more frenetic sections of the piece.

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