Composer

:

Edgard Varèse

Genre

:

Chamber

Style

:

Piece

Compose Date

:

1924 - 1925

Average_duration

:

10:28

Intégrales is a composition by Edgard Varèse, a French-American composer who is known for his pioneering work in electronic music. The piece was composed in 1924 and premiered on May 16, 1925, in Paris, France. It is a four-movement work that is approximately 11 minutes in length. The first movement of Intégrales is marked "Assez lent" (quite slow) and features a dense texture of percussion instruments, including snare drums, bass drums, cymbals, and tam-tams. The second movement, marked "Très vif" (very lively), is a fast-paced section that features a solo clarinet and a group of brass instruments. The third movement, marked "Lent" (slow), is a more contemplative section that features a solo flute and a group of strings. The final movement, marked "Très rapide" (very fast), is a frenetic section that brings together all of the instruments in a complex and energetic finale. One of the defining characteristics of Intégrales is its use of percussion instruments. Varèse was known for his interest in percussion, and this piece features a wide variety of percussion instruments, including some that were relatively new to Western music at the time, such as the tam-tam. The piece also features a number of unconventional playing techniques, such as striking the drums with the hands or using mallets to create unusual sounds. Another characteristic of Intégrales is its use of dissonance and complex rhythms. Varèse was interested in exploring new sounds and structures in his music, and this piece reflects that interest. The rhythms are often irregular and unpredictable, and the harmonies are often dissonant and challenging to the ear. Overall, Intégrales is a challenging and innovative work that reflects Varèse's interest in exploring new sounds and structures in music. Its use of percussion instruments and complex rhythms make it a landmark piece in the history of Western music.

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