Composer

:

Paul Dresher

Genre

:

Miscellaneous

Style

:

Miscellaneous

Compose Date

:

1982

Average_duration

:

7:56

'Underground' is a contemporary classical composition by American composer Paul Dresher. It was composed in 1995 and premiered on March 1, 1996, at the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts in San Francisco. The piece is divided into three movements and has a total duration of approximately 25 minutes. The first movement, titled "The Machine," is characterized by its use of mechanical and industrial sounds. The music is driven by a pulsing rhythm that evokes the sound of a machine in motion. The movement features a variety of percussion instruments, including drums, cymbals, and metal pipes, as well as electronic sounds created by synthesizers and samplers. The second movement, "The River," is a slower and more contemplative section of the piece. It features a solo cello that plays a mournful melody over a bed of atmospheric sounds created by synthesizers and other electronic instruments. The movement is meant to evoke the feeling of being underwater, with the cello representing a lone swimmer struggling against the current. The final movement, "The City," is the most complex and dynamic section of the piece. It features a large ensemble of musicians playing a variety of instruments, including strings, woodwinds, brass, and percussion. The music is fast-paced and frenetic, with multiple layers of sound building on top of each other to create a sense of chaos and urgency. The movement ends with a sudden, explosive climax that brings the piece to a dramatic close. Overall, 'Underground' is a powerful and evocative composition that showcases Dresher's skill as a composer and his ability to blend traditional and electronic sounds into a cohesive whole. The piece is a testament to the enduring power of contemporary classical music and its ability to speak to audiences across generations and cultures.

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