Composer

:

Darius Milhaud

Genre

:

Keyboard

Style

:

Keyboard

Compose Date

:

1923

Publication Date

:

1923

Average_duration

:

16:21

La création du monde, Op. 81b is a ballet composed by Darius Milhaud in 1923. The ballet was commissioned by the Ballets Suédois and premiered on October 25, 1923, at the Théâtre des Champs-Élysées in Paris. The choreography was created by Jean Börlin, and the sets and costumes were designed by Fernand Léger. The ballet is divided into four movements, each representing a different stage in the creation of the world. The first movement, titled "Chaos before Creation," is a slow and mysterious introduction that sets the stage for the rest of the ballet. The second movement, "The Birth of the World," is a lively and rhythmic section that features African-inspired music and dance. The third movement, "The Appearance of Man," is a slower and more contemplative section that features a solo saxophone and a haunting melody. The final movement, "The Adoration of the Earth," is a joyful and celebratory section that brings the ballet to a triumphant conclusion. One of the most notable characteristics of La création du monde is its use of jazz and African-inspired rhythms and melodies. Milhaud was one of the first classical composers to incorporate jazz into his music, and he was particularly interested in the music of African American musicians such as Duke Ellington and Sidney Bechet. The ballet also features a small ensemble of instruments, including saxophone, trumpet, trombone, percussion, and piano, which gives the music a unique and distinctive sound. Overall, La création du monde is a groundbreaking work that combines elements of classical music, jazz, and African music to create a vibrant and exciting ballet. Its premiere was a major event in the Parisian cultural scene of the 1920s, and it continues to be performed and admired by audiences around the world today.

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