Composer

:

Jean Sibelius

Genre

:

Miscellaneous

Style

:

Melodrama

Compose Date

:

1894

First Performance

:

Mar 9, 1895

Average_duration

:

10:27

Jean Sibelius composed 'The Wood Nymph, for speaker, piano, 2 horns & string orchestra, Op. 15' in 1894. The piece premiered on March 26, 1895, in Helsinki, Finland. The composition consists of four movements, each depicting a different scene from the story of a wood nymph. The first movement, "The Wood Nymph's Magic Dance," begins with a lively and playful melody played by the strings. The wood nymph is introduced, and the music reflects her carefree and mischievous nature. The horns add a sense of grandeur to the piece, and the piano provides a rhythmic accompaniment. The second movement, "The Wood Nymph's Harp," is a slower and more contemplative piece. The wood nymph is depicted playing her harp, and the music reflects her melancholic and introspective mood. The piano and strings provide a delicate and ethereal accompaniment, while the horns add a sense of longing and yearning. The third movement, "The Wood Nymph's Evening Song," is a peaceful and serene piece. The wood nymph is depicted singing a lullaby to the forest creatures as the sun sets. The music is gentle and soothing, with the strings providing a warm and comforting backdrop to the wood nymph's voice. The final movement, "The Wood Nymph's Revenge," is a dramatic and intense piece. The wood nymph is betrayed by a mortal man, and she seeks revenge. The music is dark and foreboding, with the horns and strings creating a sense of tension and unease. The piano provides a driving rhythm, and the wood nymph's anger is palpable in the speaker's words. Overall, 'The Wood Nymph' is a beautiful and evocative piece of music that showcases Sibelius's skill as a composer. The use of speaker, piano, horns, and string orchestra creates a rich and varied sound, and the four movements work together to tell a compelling story.

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