Composer

:

Bryce Dessner

Genre

:

Avant-Garde

Average_duration

:

10:34

Maximus to Gloucester, Letter 27 (withheld) is a contemporary classical composition by Bryce Dessner, an American composer and guitarist. The piece was composed in 2014 and premiered on March 6, 2015, at the Barbican Centre in London, performed by the Britten Sinfonia and conducted by Clark Rundell. The composition is a tribute to the American poet Charles Olson and his poem "Maximus, to Himself," which is a collection of letters written by the poet to himself. Dessner's piece is based on the 27th letter in the collection, which was originally withheld from publication due to its controversial content. The composition consists of three movements, each of which is inspired by a different aspect of Olson's poem. The first movement, titled "The City," is a reflection on the urban landscape and the way it shapes our lives. The music is characterized by a pulsing rhythm and dissonant harmonies, which evoke the chaotic energy of the city. The second movement, titled "The Sea," is a meditation on the power and mystery of the ocean. The music is more atmospheric and ethereal, with long, sustained chords and shimmering textures that evoke the ebb and flow of the tides. The final movement, titled "The Quarry," is a reflection on the human desire to extract resources from the earth. The music is characterized by jagged rhythms and angular melodies, which suggest the harshness and brutality of the mining process. Overall, Maximus to Gloucester, Letter 27 (withheld) is a complex and challenging work that reflects Dessner's interest in exploring the intersections between classical music and other genres, such as rock and folk. The piece is notable for its use of unconventional harmonies and rhythms, as well as its incorporation of electronic and acoustic instruments.

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