Composer

:

Frank Bridge

Genre

:

Keyboard

Style

:

Suite

Average_duration

:

10:59

Movement_count

:

4

Movement ....

Frank Bridge's 'Fairy Tale Suite' is a four-movement orchestral work that was composed in 1926. The piece was premiered on October 21, 1926, at the Queen's Hall in London, conducted by Sir Henry Wood. The suite is inspired by various fairy tales and folk tales, and each movement is named after a different story. The first movement, 'The Princess', is based on the story of Sleeping Beauty. It begins with a gentle, dreamy melody played by the strings, which is then taken up by the woodwinds. The music gradually builds in intensity, with the brass and percussion joining in, before subsiding back into the peaceful opening theme. The second movement, 'The Spell', is based on the story of Hansel and Gretel. It begins with a sinister, chromatic melody played by the cellos and basses, which is then taken up by the rest of the orchestra. The music becomes increasingly dissonant and chaotic, before resolving into a peaceful coda. The third movement, 'The Enchantment', is based on the story of Beauty and the Beast. It begins with a gentle, lyrical melody played by the strings, which is then taken up by the woodwinds. The music becomes more complex and harmonically rich, with the brass and percussion adding to the texture. The movement ends with a quiet, mysterious coda. The final movement, 'The Frogs and the Fairies', is based on the story of The Frog Prince. It begins with a lively, playful melody played by the woodwinds, which is then taken up by the rest of the orchestra. The music becomes increasingly energetic and frenzied, with the brass and percussion adding to the excitement. The movement ends with a triumphant coda. Overall, the 'Fairy Tale Suite' is characterized by its lush, romantic melodies, rich harmonies, and colorful orchestration. Bridge's use of folk and fairy tale themes gives the piece a sense of nostalgia and whimsy, while his sophisticated compositional techniques ensure that the music never becomes simplistic or sentimental. The suite remains a popular work in the orchestral repertoire, and is a testament to Bridge's skill as a composer.

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