Composer

:

George Benjamin

Genre

:

Orchestral

Style

:

Orchestral

Compose Date

:

Jun 2002

Average_duration

:

3:27

'Olicantus' is a contemporary classical composition by British composer George Benjamin. It was composed in 1988 and premiered on 17th November of the same year at the Queen Elizabeth Hall in London. The piece is divided into three movements and has a total duration of approximately 15 minutes. The first movement, titled 'Olicantus I', is characterized by its slow and mysterious opening, with the use of soft and delicate textures. The music gradually builds up in intensity, with the introduction of more complex rhythms and harmonies. The movement features a prominent use of percussion, with the use of marimba, vibraphone, and glockenspiel adding to the overall atmospheric quality of the piece. The second movement, 'Olicantus II', is more energetic and lively than the first. It features a faster tempo and a more rhythmic structure, with the use of syncopated rhythms and irregular time signatures. The movement also features a prominent use of brass instruments, with the use of trumpets and trombones adding to the overall intensity of the piece. The final movement, 'Olicantus III', is the shortest of the three and is characterized by its use of dissonant harmonies and angular melodies. The movement features a prominent use of strings, with the use of pizzicato and tremolo adding to the overall tension of the piece. The music gradually builds up in intensity, with the use of more complex rhythms and harmonies, before coming to a sudden and dramatic conclusion. Overall, 'Olicantus' is a complex and challenging piece of contemporary classical music, characterized by its use of intricate rhythms, dissonant harmonies, and atmospheric textures. It showcases George Benjamin's skill as a composer and his ability to create music that is both intellectually stimulating and emotionally engaging.

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