Composer

:

Béla Bartók

Genre

:

Keyboard

Style

:

Keyboard

Compose Date

:

1908 - 1911

Average_duration

:

9:54

Movement_count

:

4

Movement ....

Béla Bartók's 'Dirges (4)', also known as 'Four Dirges', is a composition for mixed choir and orchestra. It was composed in 1910 and premiered on December 18, 1911, in Budapest, Hungary. The piece consists of four movements, each with its own unique characteristics. The first movement, 'Lamentation', is a slow and mournful piece that begins with a solo cello and gradually builds to a climax with the full orchestra and choir. The text is a lament for the dead, and Bartók's use of dissonant harmonies and chromaticism creates a sense of unease and sorrow. The second movement, 'The Dove', is a more upbeat and lively piece that features a solo soprano and a playful, dance-like melody. The text is a folk poem about a dove that brings news of a loved one's return, and Bartók's use of folk-inspired melodies and rhythms gives the piece a distinctly Hungarian flavor. The third movement, 'The Lads of Kestelek', is a rousing and energetic piece that features a solo tenor and a driving, rhythmic melody. The text is a folk song about a group of young men from the village of Kestelek who go off to war, and Bartók's use of syncopated rhythms and bold harmonies creates a sense of excitement and urgency. The final movement, 'The Peacock', is a haunting and atmospheric piece that features a solo alto and a mysterious, otherworldly melody. The text is a folk poem about a peacock that dies and is mourned by the other birds, and Bartók's use of modal harmonies and exotic scales creates a sense of mystery and wonder. Overall, 'Dirges (4)' is a powerful and evocative work that showcases Bartók's unique blend of folk-inspired melodies and modernist harmonies. Its use of soloists, choir, and orchestra creates a rich and varied texture, and its themes of death, love, and war resonate with audiences to this day.

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