Composer

:

William Alwyn

Genre

:

Concerto

Style

:

Concerto

Compose Date

:

1954

Average_duration

:

11:44

Autumn Legend for English horn and orchestra is a composition by British composer William Alwyn. It was composed in 1954 and premiered on 17 February 1955 by the BBC Symphony Orchestra, with soloist Terence MacDonagh and conducted by Sir Malcolm Sargent. The piece is divided into three movements: "Allegro moderato," "Lento," and "Allegro." The first movement begins with a haunting melody played by the English horn, which is then taken up by the orchestra. The movement is characterized by its rhythmic drive and the interplay between the soloist and the orchestra. The second movement, "Lento," is a slow and lyrical section that showcases the expressive capabilities of the English horn. The soloist plays a mournful melody that is accompanied by lush harmonies in the orchestra. The movement builds to a climax before subsiding into a quiet and reflective coda. The final movement, "Allegro," is a lively and energetic section that features virtuosic passages for the soloist. The movement is characterized by its rhythmic vitality and the interplay between the soloist and the orchestra. The piece ends with a triumphant flourish. Autumn Legend is a quintessentially English work that draws on the pastoral tradition of British music. It is characterized by its lyrical melodies, lush harmonies, and evocative orchestration. The piece is a showcase for the expressive capabilities of the English horn, which is often used in orchestral music to evoke a sense of nostalgia or longing.

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