Composer

:

Modest Mussorgsky

Genre

:

Orchestral

Style

:

Tone Poem

Compose Date

:

1938

Average_duration

:

10:16

"Night on Bald Mountain" is a symphonic poem composed by Modest Mussorgsky in 1867. The piece was later edited and arranged by Leopold Stokowski in 1929, which is the version that is most commonly performed today. The piece premiered on March 3, 1886, in St. Petersburg, Russia, conducted by Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov. The piece is a single-movement work that lasts approximately 12 minutes. It is a depiction of a witches' sabbath on the eve of St. John's Day, a pagan holiday celebrated on June 23rd. The music begins with a slow, ominous introduction that sets the mood for the rest of the piece. The main theme is then introduced, which is a frenzied, fast-paced melody that represents the witches' dance. The music builds in intensity, with the addition of brass and percussion, until it reaches a climax. The climax is followed by a brief moment of calm before the music returns to the main theme, which is played in a slower, more subdued manner. The piece ends with a quiet, eerie coda. The characteristics of "Night on Bald Mountain" are its use of dissonance, chromaticism, and unconventional harmonies. The piece is also known for its use of orchestration, with Mussorgsky using the full range of the orchestra to create a vivid and dramatic sound. The piece is often described as being dark and intense, with a sense of foreboding throughout. Overall, "Night on Bald Mountain" is a powerful and evocative piece of music that has become a staple of the orchestral repertoire. Its use in popular culture, such as in the Disney film "Fantasia," has helped to make it one of the most recognizable pieces of classical music.

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