Composer

:

Rebecca Clarke

Genre

:

Chamber

Style

:

Passacaglia

Compose Date

:

1941

Average_duration

:

5:21

Rebecca Clarke's "Passacaglia on an Old English Tune" is a composition for solo viola and piano. It was composed in 1941 and premiered in the same year by the composer herself on viola and James Friskin on piano. The piece is divided into three movements and has a total duration of approximately 10 minutes. The first movement, marked "Slow and solemn," begins with a statement of the old English tune, which is then developed and transformed throughout the movement. The viola and piano engage in a dialogue, with the viola often playing long, lyrical lines while the piano provides a rhythmic and harmonic foundation. The movement builds to a climax before subsiding into a quiet coda. The second movement, marked "Allegro giocoso," is a lively and playful scherzo. The viola and piano engage in a lively dance, with the viola playing virtuosic runs and the piano providing a lively accompaniment. The movement is full of rhythmic energy and playful humor. The final movement, marked "Slow and solemn," returns to the mood of the first movement. The old English tune is once again stated, this time in a more elaborate and ornate form. The viola and piano engage in a dialogue, with the viola playing long, expressive lines and the piano providing a rich harmonic backdrop. The movement builds to a powerful climax before subsiding into a quiet coda. Overall, "Passacaglia on an Old English Tune" is a work of great beauty and emotional depth. Clarke's use of the old English tune as a basis for the work gives it a sense of nostalgia and longing, while her virtuosic writing for the viola showcases the instrument's expressive capabilities. The work is a testament to Clarke's skill as a composer and her deep understanding of the viola as an instrument.

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