Composer

:

John Corigliano

Genre

:

Choral

Style

:

Choral

Compose Date

:

1960 - 1961

First Performance

:

Dec 11, 1965

Average_duration

:

16:33

Fern Hill is a composition by American composer John Corigliano, written in 1960. It is a setting of the poem of the same name by Welsh poet Dylan Thomas. The piece was premiered in 1961 by the New York Philharmonic, conducted by Leonard Bernstein. Fern Hill is a single-movement work that is approximately 15 minutes in length. The piece is scored for a large orchestra, including strings, woodwinds, brass, percussion, and harp. The music is characterized by lush harmonies, soaring melodies, and a sense of nostalgia and longing. The piece begins with a gentle, pastoral theme in the strings, which is soon joined by the woodwinds and brass. The music gradually builds in intensity, with the brass and percussion adding a sense of grandeur and power. The middle section of the piece features a solo violin, which plays a haunting melody that is both beautiful and melancholy. The music then returns to the opening theme, which is now played with even greater intensity and passion. The piece ends with a quiet, reflective coda, as the music fades away into silence. Overall, Fern Hill is a deeply emotional and evocative work that captures the beauty and wonder of nature, as well as the fleeting nature of life itself. Corigliano's music perfectly captures the spirit of Dylan Thomas's poem, creating a powerful and moving musical experience that is sure to resonate with audiences for years to come.

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