Composer

:

Darius Milhaud

Genre

:

Ballet

Style

:

Ballet

Compose Date

:

1923

Publication Date

:

1929

Average_duration

:

16:28

La création du monde is a ballet composed by Darius Milhaud in 1923. The plot of the ballet is based on African creation myths, and it tells the story of the creation of the world and the emergence of human beings. The ballet is divided into four movements, each of which represents a different stage in the creation of the world. The first movement, titled "Ouverture," sets the stage for the ballet and introduces the main themes and motifs. The music is characterized by a driving rhythm and a sense of urgency, as if the world is being born out of chaos. The second movement, "Le chaos avant la création," represents the chaos that existed before the world was created. The music is dissonant and fragmented, with sudden bursts of sound that suggest the violent forces at work. The third movement, "La création du monde," is the centerpiece of the ballet. It depicts the creation of the world and the emergence of human beings. The music is characterized by a lively, syncopated rhythm and a sense of joy and celebration. The final movement, "Le temps de l'homme," represents the time of human beings on earth. The music is more subdued and introspective, with a sense of longing and nostalgia. La création du monde premiered in Paris on October 25, 1923, and was an immediate success. The ballet was choreographed by Jean Börlin, who had studied African dance and incorporated elements of it into his choreography. The costumes and sets were designed by Fernand Léger, who was inspired by African art and culture. One of the most distinctive characteristics of La création du monde is its use of jazz and other popular music styles. Milhaud was one of the first classical composers to incorporate jazz into his music, and he did so in a way that was both innovative and respectful of the source material. The result is a unique blend of classical and popular music that captures the spirit of the African creation myths and the energy of the jazz age. Overall, La création du monde is a groundbreaking work that combines music, dance, and visual art in a way that was ahead of its time. Its influence can be heard in the work of later composers and choreographers, and it remains a beloved and influential work of 20th-century art.

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