Composer

:

Jean Sibelius

Genre

:

Vocal

Style

:

Song: Art Song

Compose Date

:

1898

Average_duration

:

1:31

Driftwood, Op. 17/7 is a solo piano piece composed by the Finnish composer Jean Sibelius. It was composed in 1894 and premiered the same year in Helsinki. The piece is part of a collection of ten pieces for piano, collectively known as The Trees, Op. 75. Driftwood is a single-movement piece that is characterized by its melancholic and introspective mood. The piece is written in the key of E-flat minor and is marked by a slow and deliberate tempo. The opening bars of the piece feature a simple and haunting melody that is repeated throughout the piece, serving as a unifying theme. The piece is structured around a series of variations on this theme, with each variation exploring different aspects of the melody. The variations range from delicate and introspective to more forceful and dramatic, with the piece building to a powerful climax before returning to its original melancholic mood. One of the most striking features of Driftwood is its use of harmony. Sibelius employs a range of complex and unusual chord progressions, creating a sense of tension and unease that is characteristic of his style. The piece also features a number of intricate and virtuosic passages, showcasing Sibelius's skill as a pianist and composer. Overall, Driftwood is a haunting and introspective piece that showcases Sibelius's unique style and mastery of the piano. Its use of complex harmony and virtuosic passages make it a challenging and rewarding piece for pianists to perform, while its melancholic mood and introspective themes make it a powerful and moving work of art.

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