Composer

:

Walter Piston

Genre

:

Orchestral

Style

:

Suite from larger work

Compose Date

:

1938

Publication Date

:

1938

First Performance

:

Nov 22, 1940

Average_duration

:

16:44

Movement_count

:

12

Movement ....

The Incredible Flutist is a ballet composed by Walter Piston in 1938. It premiered on April 27, 1938, at the Metropolitan Opera House in New York City, with choreography by Léonide Massine and sets and costumes by Salvador Dalí. The ballet is divided into three movements and tells the story of a circus that arrives in a small town and the ensuing chaos that ensues. The first movement, titled "The Circus Comes to Town," introduces the characters and sets the scene for the ballet. The music is lively and playful, with a circus-like atmosphere created by the use of percussion and brass instruments. The second movement, "The Young Girl and the Flutist," is a romantic pas de deux between the young girl and the flutist. The music is slow and melodic, with a prominent flute solo that represents the flutist's character. The final movement, "The Circus Leaves at Night," is the most dramatic of the three. The music is fast-paced and frenzied, with a sense of urgency and chaos. The circus performers are packing up and leaving town, and the townspeople are left to deal with the aftermath of the circus's visit. The music builds to a climax, with the use of dissonant chords and a frenzied tempo, before resolving into a peaceful and reflective coda. Overall, The Incredible Flutist is a lively and colorful ballet that showcases Piston's skill as a composer. The use of different instruments and musical styles to represent the various characters and scenes is particularly effective, and the ballet remains a popular choice for dance companies and orchestras today.

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