Composer

:

Frederic Rzewski

Genre

:

Keyboard

Compose Date

:

2005

Average_duration

:

19:49

Movement_count

:

6

Movement ....

"Second Hand, or Alone at Last, novelettes (6)" is a composition by Frederic Rzewski, an American composer and pianist. The piece was composed in 1977 and premiered in the same year. It consists of six movements, each with its own unique characteristics. The first movement, "Which Side Are You On?", is a tribute to the labor movement and features a melody from a union song. The second movement, "Down by the Riverside", is a contemplative piece that incorporates elements of gospel music. The third movement, "Winnsboro Cotton Mill Blues", is a tribute to the textile workers of South Carolina and features a repetitive, driving rhythm. The fourth movement, "De Profundis", is a somber and introspective piece that incorporates a text from Oscar Wilde's letter to his lover. The fifth movement, "Cadenza", is a virtuosic piano solo that showcases the performer's technical abilities. The final movement, "The People United Will Never Be Defeated!", is a set of variations on a Chilean protest song and features a wide range of musical styles and techniques. Overall, "Second Hand, or Alone at Last, novelettes (6)" is a complex and challenging work that explores a variety of political and social themes. It requires a skilled and sensitive performer to bring out the nuances of each movement and convey the emotional depth of the piece.

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