Composer

:

George Antheil

Genre

:

Orchestral

Style

:

Orchestral

Compose Date

:

Jun 7, 1948

Publication Date

:

1950

First Performance

:

Dec 12, 1948

Average_duration

:

9:28

"McKonkey's Ferry (Washington at Trenton), W. 188" is a composition by American composer George Antheil. It was composed in 1944 and premiered on December 7, 1944, by the Philadelphia Orchestra under the direction of Eugene Ormandy. The composition is divided into three movements. The first movement, "The Crossing," is a depiction of George Washington's famous crossing of the Delaware River on Christmas night in 1776. The music is characterized by a sense of urgency and tension, with driving rhythms and dissonant harmonies. The second movement, "The Battle," portrays the ensuing battle at Trenton. The music is more aggressive and martial, with pounding rhythms and brass fanfares. The movement builds to a climax before subsiding into a mournful coda. The final movement, "The Aftermath," depicts the aftermath of the battle, with a sense of sadness and loss. The music is more introspective and contemplative, with long, lyrical lines and a sense of resignation. Overall, "McKonkey's Ferry (Washington at Trenton), W. 188" is a powerful and evocative work that captures the drama and emotion of one of the most important moments in American history. Antheil's use of dissonance and unconventional harmonies gives the music a modernist edge, while his skillful orchestration and sense of drama make it a compelling and memorable work.

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