Composer

:

George Butterworth

Genre

:

Orchestral

Style

:

Orchestral

Compose Date

:

1911

Average_duration

:

9:54

Movement_count

:

2

Movement ....

English Idylls (2) is a composition for orchestra by English composer George Butterworth. It was composed in 1911 and premiered on March 21, 1911, at a concert of the Royal Philharmonic Society in London. The piece consists of three movements and has a total duration of approximately 15 minutes. The first movement, entitled "The Banks of Green Willow," is a pastoral scene that evokes the English countryside. It begins with a gentle, flowing melody played by the strings, which is then taken up by the woodwinds. The music gradually builds in intensity, with the addition of brass and percussion, before subsiding back into the peaceful opening theme. The second movement, "The Sighing of the Woods," is a more introspective and melancholic piece. It features a haunting melody played by the oboe, which is then echoed by the clarinet and other instruments. The music is characterized by a sense of longing and nostalgia, as if the composer is reflecting on the passing of time and the transience of life. The final movement, "The Dance of the Sickle," is a lively and energetic piece that celebrates the harvest season. It features a lively folk-like melody played by the strings, which is then taken up by the woodwinds and brass. The music is characterized by a sense of joy and celebration, with the various instruments weaving in and out of each other in a lively dance. Overall, English Idylls (2) is a beautiful and evocative work that captures the essence of the English countryside and its people. It is characterized by its pastoral themes, haunting melodies, and lively folk-like dances, and is a testament to Butterworth's skill as a composer.

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