Composer

:

Anton Webern

Genre

:

Orchestral

Style

:

Orchestral

Compose Date

:

1904

Average_duration

:

14:10

Im Sommerwind is a symphonic poem composed by Anton Webern in 1904. It was premiered in 1905 in Vienna, conducted by Webern himself. The piece is divided into a single movement and has a duration of approximately 15 minutes. The work is characterized by its lush and romantic harmonies, which are a departure from Webern's later atonal and serialist style. The piece is scored for a large orchestra, including a full string section, woodwinds, brass, and percussion. The opening theme is introduced by the strings and is reminiscent of the lush, late-Romantic style of composers such as Richard Strauss and Gustav Mahler. The piece is structured around a series of contrasting themes, each of which is developed and transformed throughout the work. The second theme, introduced by the woodwinds, is more playful and light-hearted, while the third theme, introduced by the brass, is more dramatic and intense. The themes are woven together in a complex and intricate web of counterpoint, creating a rich and multi-layered texture. Despite its lush and romantic character, Im Sommerwind is still marked by Webern's characteristic attention to detail and precision. The orchestration is carefully crafted, with each instrument given a specific role in the overall texture. The piece also features Webern's use of motivic development, with short melodic fragments repeated and transformed throughout the work. Overall, Im Sommerwind is a beautiful and evocative work that showcases Webern's early Romantic style. While it is a departure from his later atonal and serialist works, it still displays his characteristic attention to detail and precision.

More....