Composer

:

Virgil Thomson

Genre

:

Vocal

Style

:

Vocal Music

Compose Date

:

1955

Average_duration

:

3:19

"John Peel" is a composition by American composer Virgil Thomson, written in 1942. The piece is a tribute to the English folk song of the same name, which tells the story of a famous fox hunter from the Lake District in northern England. Thomson's composition is scored for orchestra and features four movements. The first movement, "The Chase," is a lively and energetic depiction of the hunt, with fast-paced rhythms and bright, colorful orchestration. The second movement, "The Horn," is a slower, more contemplative piece that features a solo horn playing the melody of the folk song. The third movement, "The Death," is a dramatic and intense section that portrays the final moments of the fox's life. The final movement, "The Burial," is a mournful and somber piece that brings the composition to a close. Thomson's "John Peel" is characterized by its use of folk melodies and rhythms, as well as its colorful and inventive orchestration. The composer was known for his interest in American folk music, and this piece reflects his fascination with the traditional music of other cultures as well. The composition premiered in 1943, and has since become a popular work in the orchestral repertoire.

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