Composer

:

Arne Nordheim

Genre

:

Choral

Style

:

Choral

Arne Nordheim's 'Music to Two Fragments of Music by Shelley' is a composition for orchestra that was completed in 1966. The piece was premiered on October 27, 1966, by the Oslo Philharmonic Orchestra, conducted by Øivin Fjeldstad. The work is divided into two movements, each of which is based on a fragment of music by the English poet Percy Bysshe Shelley. The first movement, titled "Music to a Fragment of Shelley I," is characterized by its slow and atmospheric opening, which gradually builds in intensity as the orchestra adds layers of sound. The music is marked by a sense of tension and unease, with dissonant harmonies and jagged rhythms creating a sense of instability. As the movement progresses, the music becomes more frenzied, with the orchestra reaching a climax before subsiding into a quiet, introspective coda. The second movement, titled "Music to a Fragment of Shelley II," is more lyrical and melodic than the first. The music is marked by a sense of yearning and nostalgia, with long, flowing lines and lush harmonies. The movement is structured around a central theme that is introduced by the strings and then developed and elaborated upon by the rest of the orchestra. The music gradually builds in intensity before reaching a climax, after which it subsides into a quiet, reflective coda. Overall, 'Music to Two Fragments of Music by Shelley' is a powerful and evocative work that showcases Nordheim's skill as a composer. The piece is marked by its use of dissonant harmonies, jagged rhythms, and atmospheric textures, which create a sense of tension and unease. At the same time, the music is also marked by its lyrical melodies and lush harmonies, which give the piece a sense of emotional depth and complexity.

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