Composer

:

Peter Sculthorpe

Genre

:

Orchestral

Style

:

Orchestral

Compose Date

:

1967

Average_duration

:

8:33

Peter Sculthorpe's 'Sun Music No. 4, for orchestra' is a composition that was completed in 1969. It was premiered on August 22, 1969, by the Sydney Symphony Orchestra, conducted by the composer himself. The piece is divided into three movements, each of which is characterized by a distinct musical style and mood. The first movement, marked 'Moderato,' is characterized by a slow and deliberate pace. It begins with a series of sustained chords played by the strings, which are gradually joined by the woodwinds and brass. The overall effect is one of a slowly unfolding landscape, with each new instrument adding to the texture of the music. The movement builds to a climax before subsiding into a quiet and reflective coda. The second movement, marked 'Allegro,' is a lively and energetic scherzo. It begins with a rhythmic figure played by the percussion, which is then taken up by the rest of the orchestra. The movement is characterized by a sense of playfulness and joy, with the various sections of the orchestra engaging in a lively dialogue. The movement ends with a sudden and unexpected silence. The final movement, marked 'Lento,' is a slow and mournful adagio. It begins with a solo violin playing a haunting melody, which is then taken up by the rest of the orchestra. The movement is characterized by a sense of sadness and loss, with the music gradually building to a powerful climax before subsiding into a quiet and reflective coda. Overall, 'Sun Music No. 4' is a work that is characterized by a sense of openness and spaciousness. The music is often slow and deliberate, with a focus on sustained chords and long melodic lines. The use of percussion is also notable, with the various instruments providing a rhythmic foundation for the music. The piece is often described as being evocative of the Australian landscape, with its wide open spaces and sense of vastness.

More....