Composer

:

William Kraft

Genre

:

Vocal

Style

:

Vocal Music

Compose Date

:

1987 - 1990

Average_duration

:

24:56

Movement_count

:

8

Movement ....

Settings from Pierrot Lunaire is a composition by William Kraft, an American composer and percussionist. The piece was composed in 1968 and premiered on May 7, 1969, at the University of California, Los Angeles. The composition is based on Arnold Schoenberg's Pierrot Lunaire, a melodrama for voice and chamber ensemble. Settings from Pierrot Lunaire consists of five movements, each of which is a setting of a different poem from Schoenberg's work. The first movement, "Mondestrunken," is a lively and rhythmic piece that features a prominent percussion section. The second movement, "Colombine," is a slower and more lyrical piece that features a solo violin. The third movement, "Der Dandy," is a fast and virtuosic piece that features a solo clarinet. The fourth movement, "Eine blasse Wäscherin," is a haunting and atmospheric piece that features a solo flute. The final movement, "Valse de Chopin," is a lively and playful piece that features a prominent piano part. One of the characteristics of Settings from Pierrot Lunaire is its use of extended techniques and unconventional instrumentation. For example, the percussion section is called upon to play a variety of instruments, including maracas, wood blocks, and a whip. The clarinet solo in "Der Dandy" features a number of multiphonics and other extended techniques. The flute solo in "Eine blasse Wäscherin" features flutter-tonguing and other techniques that create a ghostly, ethereal sound. Another characteristic of Settings from Pierrot Lunaire is its use of a wide range of textures and dynamics. The piece moves seamlessly between moments of quiet introspection and explosive bursts of sound. The use of different instrumental combinations and timbres creates a constantly shifting sonic landscape. Overall, Settings from Pierrot Lunaire is a dynamic and inventive composition that pays homage to Schoenberg's original work while also pushing the boundaries of contemporary classical music.

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