Composer

:

Arnold Bax

Genre

:

Keyboard

Style

:

Character Piece

Compose Date

:

1916

Average_duration

:

9:40

"Dream in Exile" is a composition for solo piano by Arnold Bax, a British composer of the early 20th century. It was composed in 1915 and premiered the same year by the pianist Harriet Cohen. The piece is divided into three movements and has a total duration of approximately 12 minutes. The first movement, marked "Moderato," begins with a melancholic melody played in the right hand, accompanied by a simple chord progression in the left hand. The mood gradually becomes more agitated, with the melody becoming more fragmented and the harmonies more dissonant. The middle section of the movement features a faster, more rhythmic theme, which is eventually subsumed by the return of the opening material. The second movement, marked "Lento," is a slow, introspective piece that features a haunting melody in the right hand, accompanied by a series of arpeggios in the left hand. The harmonies are more complex than in the first movement, with frequent use of chromaticism and unexpected modulations. The middle section of the movement features a more animated theme, but the overall mood remains subdued. The final movement, marked "Allegro," is a lively and energetic piece that features a driving rhythm and a series of virtuosic flourishes in the right hand. The harmonies are more tonal than in the previous movements, with frequent use of major and minor chords. The middle section of the movement features a slower, more lyrical theme, but the overall mood remains upbeat and optimistic. Overall, "Dream in Exile" is a highly expressive and emotionally charged work that showcases Bax's skill as a composer for the piano. The piece is notable for its use of complex harmonies and unconventional tonalities, as well as its virtuosic demands on the performer.

More....