Composer

:

Tobias Picker

Genre

:

Orchestral

Style

:

Orchestral

Compose Date

:

1986

Average_duration

:

5:56

"Old and Lost Rivers for orchestra" is a composition by American composer Tobias Picker. It was composed in 1986 and premiered on March 12, 1987, by the Houston Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Sergiu Comissiona. The piece is divided into two movements, each representing a different river. The first movement, "Old River," is slow and contemplative, with a mournful melody played by the strings. The second movement, "Lost River," is faster and more energetic, with a lively rhythm and a sense of urgency. The piece is characterized by its use of orchestral color and texture. Picker employs a wide range of instruments, including harp, celesta, and percussion, to create a rich and varied sound. The piece also features a number of solos, including a haunting oboe solo in the first movement and a virtuosic violin solo in the second. "Old and Lost Rivers" is often described as a tone poem, a type of orchestral composition that tells a story or evokes a particular mood or atmosphere. In this case, the piece is inspired by the rivers of the title, which are both located in Texas. The "Old River" is a slow-moving, meandering river that flows through the state's coastal plain, while the "Lost River" is a fast-moving, unpredictable river that disappears underground and reemerges in unexpected places. Overall, "Old and Lost Rivers" is a powerful and evocative piece of music that showcases Picker's skill as a composer and his ability to create vivid and memorable musical landscapes.

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