Composer

:

Mieczyslaw Weinberg

Genre

:

Symphony

Style

:

Symphony

Average_duration

:

48:31

Symphony No. 17, Op. 137 Memory is a composition by Polish-Russian composer Mieczyslaw Weinberg. It was composed in 1982 and premiered on October 28, 1984, in Moscow, Russia. The symphony is divided into four movements and has a total duration of approximately 45 minutes. The first movement, marked "Moderato," begins with a somber and introspective theme played by the strings. The theme is then passed on to the woodwinds and brass, creating a sense of tension and unease. 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. The music is characterized by its rhythmic drive and playful melodies, which are passed between the different sections of the orchestra. The movement ends with a sudden and unexpected chord, leading directly into the third movement. The third movement, marked "Adagio," is the emotional heart of the symphony. It begins with a mournful theme played by the strings, which is then taken up by the woodwinds and brass. The music gradually builds in intensity, with the different sections of the orchestra adding their voices to the lament. The movement ends with a hauntingly beautiful solo by the oboe. The final movement, marked "Allegro molto," is a fast and frenetic finale. The music is characterized by its driving rhythms and virtuosic solos, particularly for the percussion and brass sections. The movement builds to a thrilling climax before ending with a triumphant coda. Overall, Symphony No. 17, Op. 137 Memory is a powerful and deeply emotional work. It reflects Weinberg's personal experiences as a survivor of the Holocaust and his ongoing struggle with the trauma of that period. The symphony is characterized by its intense emotional content, complex harmonies, and masterful orchestration, making it a significant contribution to the repertoire of 20th-century classical music.

More....