Composer

:

Flor Peeters

Genre

:

Keyboard

Style

:

Elegy

Average_duration

:

6:46

Flor Peeters was a Belgian composer, organist, and teacher who lived from 1903 to 1986. He was known for his contributions to the organ repertoire, and his Élégie for organ, Op. 38 is one of his most famous works. Peeters composed the Élégie in 1940, during the early years of World War II. It was premiered in Brussels on May 18, 1941, by the composer himself. The piece is written in a single movement and has a duration of approximately 10 minutes. The Élégie is characterized by its mournful and introspective mood. It begins with a slow and somber introduction, featuring a melody played in the pedal. The main section of the piece is marked "Allegro moderato," and features a lively and rhythmic theme played in the manuals. This theme is developed throughout the piece, with various harmonies and textures added to create a sense of depth and complexity. Despite its mournful mood, the Élégie is not a dirge or funeral march. Instead, it is a contemplative and introspective work that reflects on the transience of life and the inevitability of death. Peeters' use of harmony and texture creates a sense of tension and release, as if the music is struggling to come to terms with its own mortality. Overall, the Élégie for organ, Op. 38 is a powerful and moving work that showcases Peeters' skill as a composer and his ability to create music that is both technically challenging and emotionally resonant. Its premiere in 1941 was a testament to Peeters' enduring popularity and influence in the world of organ music, and it remains a beloved work among organists and music lovers to this day.

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