Composer

:

August Enna

Genre

:

Musical Theatre

Style

:

Show/Musical

Compose Date

:

1897

Average_duration

:

26:12

Movement_count

:

12

Movement ....

The Little Match Girl is a musical composed by August Enna, a Danish composer, in 1897. The plot is based on the famous fairy tale by Hans Christian Andersen. The story revolves around a poor little girl who is forced to sell matches on the streets on a cold winter night. She is barefoot and shivering, and no one seems to care about her plight. To keep herself warm, she lights the matches one by one, and in the light of each match, she sees a beautiful vision. She sees a warm stove, a Christmas tree, and her grandmother, who had passed away. In the end, she dies of cold and exhaustion, and her soul ascends to heaven. The musical is divided into three movements. The first movement is called "The Little Match Girl's Misery." It sets the scene and introduces the main character. The music is somber and melancholic, reflecting the girl's plight. The second movement is called "The Little Match Girl's Visions." It is the most beautiful and uplifting part of the musical. Each vision is accompanied by a different melody, and the music is full of hope and wonder. The third movement is called "The Little Match Girl's Death." It is the saddest part of the musical, and the music is mournful and tragic. The Little Match Girl premiered in Copenhagen in 1897 and was an instant success. It was later performed in other European cities, including Berlin, Vienna, and London. The musical was praised for its beautiful melodies and emotional depth. It was also noted for its innovative use of orchestration, with Enna using the orchestra to create different soundscapes for each vision. One of the characteristics of The Little Match Girl is its use of leitmotifs. Each vision has its own musical theme, which is repeated throughout the musical. This creates a sense of unity and coherence, and helps to reinforce the emotional impact of each vision. Another characteristic is Enna's use of chromaticism. The music is full of unexpected harmonies and modulations, which create a sense of tension and release. In conclusion, The Little Match Girl is a beautiful and poignant musical that captures the spirit of Hans Christian Andersen's fairy tale. August Enna's music is full of emotion and beauty, and his innovative use of orchestration and leitmotifs makes the musical a masterpiece of late Romanticism. The Little Match Girl remains a beloved work of Danish music, and a testament to the power of music to move and inspire us.

More....