Composer

:

Elliott Carter

Genre

:

Chamber

Style

:

Canon

Compose Date

:

1971

Average_duration

:

2:21

Elliott Carter's "Canon for Three Equal Instruments: in Memoriam Igor Stravinsky" was composed in 1971 and premiered on January 15, 1972, at the Library of Congress in Washington, D.C. The piece is a tribute to the great composer Igor Stravinsky, who had passed away the previous year. The canon is written for three instruments of equal range, which can be any combination of instruments. The piece is divided into three movements, each of which is a canon. The first movement is a canon at the unison, the second is a canon at the second, and the third is a canon at the third. The piece is characterized by its complex and intricate counterpoint, which is typical of Carter's style. The canons are not strict imitations, but rather variations on a theme. The instruments play off of each other, creating a dense and intricate texture. The first movement is marked "quietly flowing," and the instruments enter one at a time, building up to a dense texture. The second movement is marked "fast and lively," and the canonic entries are more rapid and complex. The third movement is marked "slow and sustained," and the canonic entries are more spaced out, creating a more contemplative mood. Overall, "Canon for Three Equal Instruments: in Memoriam Igor Stravinsky" is a beautiful and complex tribute to one of the greatest composers of the 20th century. Carter's intricate counterpoint and use of canonic techniques create a dense and intricate texture that is both challenging and rewarding for performers and listeners alike.

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