Composer

:

Mily Balakirev

Genre

:

Orchestral

Style

:

Incidental Music

Compose Date

:

1858 - 1861

Publication Date

:

1902 - 1906

Average_duration

:

36:05

Movement_count

:

6

Movement ....

"King Lear" is a symphonic poem composed by Mily Balakirev in 1858. It premiered on March 16, 1862, in St. Petersburg, Russia. The piece is based on William Shakespeare's play of the same name and is one of Balakirev's most famous works. The symphonic poem is divided into three movements, each representing a different aspect of the play. The first movement, "King Lear and his Daughters," begins with a slow and somber introduction that represents the king's sadness and despair. The music then becomes more lively and energetic as the daughters enter the scene. The movement ends with a dramatic climax as Lear disowns his daughter Cordelia. The second movement, "The Storm," is a depiction of the famous storm scene in the play. The music is turbulent and chaotic, with crashing cymbals and thunderous timpani representing the fury of the storm. The movement ends with a calm and peaceful section as Lear and his daughter reconcile. The final movement, "The Death of King Lear," is a mournful and somber piece that represents the tragic end of the play. The music is slow and melancholic, with mournful strings and a haunting melody. The movement ends with a quiet and peaceful section as Lear dies. Overall, "King Lear" is a powerful and emotional piece of music that captures the essence of Shakespeare's play. Balakirev's use of orchestration and melody creates a vivid and dramatic portrayal of the story, making it one of the most memorable pieces of music inspired by Shakespeare's work.

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