Composer

:

Efrem Zimbalist

Genre

:

Concerto

Style

:

Concerto

Average_duration

:

9:02

Fantasy on Rimsky-Korsakov's Le Coq d'or is a composition by Efrem Zimbalist, a Russian-American violinist and composer. The piece was composed in 1929 and premiered on January 17, 1930, in New York City. It is a single-movement work that lasts approximately 12 minutes. The composition is based on the opera Le Coq d'or (The Golden Cockerel) by Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov. The opera tells the story of a king who is given a magical golden cockerel that warns him of danger. The king becomes obsessed with the cockerel and ignores its warnings, leading to his downfall. Zimbalist's Fantasy on Rimsky-Korsakov's Le Coq d'or is a virtuosic work for violin and orchestra. The violin part is highly demanding, featuring rapid runs, double stops, and intricate passages. The orchestra provides a lush and colorful accompaniment, with prominent use of brass and percussion. The piece begins with a slow and mysterious introduction, featuring the solo violin playing a haunting melody. This leads into a fast and energetic section, with the violin and orchestra trading off virtuosic passages. The middle section of the piece is more lyrical, with the violin playing a beautiful and expressive melody over a lush orchestral accompaniment. The final section of the piece is a fast and frenzied coda, with the violin and orchestra racing to the finish. Overall, Zimbalist's Fantasy on Rimsky-Korsakov's Le Coq d'or is a thrilling and virtuosic work that showcases the talents of both the soloist and the orchestra. It is a testament to Zimbalist's skill as a composer and his love for the music of his homeland.

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