Composer

:

George Crumb

Genre

:

Keyboard

Style

:

Open Form

Compose Date

:

1973

Average_duration

:

32:45

Movement_count

:

12

Movement ....

Makrokosmos II is a composition for amplified piano by American composer George Crumb. It was composed in 1973 and premiered the same year at the University of Colorado. The piece is divided into four movements, each of which explores different extended techniques and sound effects on the piano. The first movement, "The Phantom Gondolier," is characterized by its haunting, ethereal quality. The pianist is instructed to play with a soft, delicate touch, creating a sense of mystery and otherworldliness. The movement also features the use of a glass tumbler placed on the strings of the piano, which produces a shimmering, bell-like sound. The second movement, "Night-Spell I," is more aggressive and dissonant. The pianist is instructed to play with a percussive, staccato touch, creating a sense of tension and urgency. The movement also features the use of a metal thimble placed on the strings of the piano, which produces a metallic, buzzing sound. The third movement, "Music of Shadows," is more atmospheric and introspective. The pianist is instructed to play with a soft, legato touch, creating a sense of introspection and contemplation. The movement also features the use of a metal chain placed on the strings of the piano, which produces a rattling, metallic sound. The fourth and final movement, "The Advent," is the most dramatic and intense of the four. The pianist is instructed to play with a forceful, aggressive touch, creating a sense of power and energy. The movement also features the use of a glass rod placed on the strings of the piano, which produces a piercing, high-pitched sound. Overall, Makrokosmos II is a highly experimental and innovative work that pushes the boundaries of what is possible on the piano. It showcases Crumb's unique approach to composition, which emphasizes the use of extended techniques and unconventional sound effects to create a rich, immersive sonic landscape.

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