Composer

:

Mario Castelnuovo-Tedesco

Genre

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Keyboard

Style

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Keyboard

Compose Date

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1913

Average_duration

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5:38

"Questo fu il carro della morte" (This was the chariot of death) is a composition for voice and piano by Italian composer Mario Castelnuovo-Tedesco. It was composed in 1914 and premiered in Florence in the same year. The piece is based on a poem by Italian poet Gabriele D'Annunzio, which describes the horrors of war and the devastation it brings. The composition is divided into three movements, each of which reflects a different aspect of the poem. The first movement, "L'ora sesta" (The sixth hour), is a somber and mournful reflection on the death and destruction caused by war. The second movement, "La morte di un soldato" (The death of a soldier), is a more dramatic and intense portrayal of the violence and chaos of battle. The final movement, "Il trionfo della morte" (The triumph of death), is a haunting and eerie depiction of the aftermath of war, with its desolate landscapes and shattered lives. Castelnuovo-Tedesco's composition is characterized by its use of dissonance and chromaticism, which create a sense of unease and tension throughout the piece. The vocal line is often angular and fragmented, reflecting the fragmented and shattered nature of the poem's subject matter. The piano accompaniment is equally complex, with intricate rhythms and harmonies that add to the overall sense of disorientation and chaos. Overall, "Questo fu il carro della morte" is a powerful and moving work that captures the horror and devastation of war in a deeply emotional and evocative way. Castelnuovo-Tedesco's skillful use of musical language and his ability to convey complex emotions through music make this piece a true masterpiece of the early 20th century.

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