Composer

:

George Frederick McKay

Genre

:

Orchestral

Style

:

Orchestral

Compose Date

:

1945

Average_duration

:

15:17

"From a Moonlit Ceremony" is a composition by American composer George Frederick McKay. It was composed in 1946 and premiered on March 16, 1947, by the Portland Symphony Orchestra under the direction of the composer. The piece is divided into three movements and has a total duration of approximately 20 minutes. The first movement, "Invocation," begins with a slow and mysterious introduction, featuring a solo violin and harp. The music gradually builds in intensity, with the addition of other instruments, including the brass and percussion sections. The movement reaches a climax before subsiding into a quiet and reflective coda. The second movement, "Dance of the Moon," is a lively and rhythmic scherzo. The music is characterized by syncopated rhythms and playful melodies, evoking the image of a moonlit dance. The movement features solos from various instruments, including the clarinet, flute, and trumpet. The final movement, "Ritual," is the most dramatic and intense of the three. It begins with a slow and ominous introduction, featuring the low strings and brass. The music gradually builds in intensity, with the addition of the percussion section and the full orchestra. The movement reaches a powerful climax before subsiding into a quiet and reflective coda. Overall, "From a Moonlit Ceremony" is a highly evocative and atmospheric work, characterized by its use of colorful orchestration and vivid imagery. The piece is often cited as one of McKay's most important and influential compositions, and it remains a staple of the American orchestral repertoire.

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