Composer

:

Dorothy Howell

Genre

:

Orchestral

Average_duration

:

15:08

"Lamia" is a symphonic poem composed by Dorothy Howell in 1918. It premiered on March 6, 1919, at a Promenade Concert at the Queen's Hall in London, conducted by Sir Henry Wood. The piece is based on the poem "Lamia" by John Keats, which tells the story of a serpent-woman who falls in love with a mortal man and is ultimately destroyed by her own deception. The piece is divided into three movements. The first movement, "Lamia," begins with a haunting melody played by the strings, which sets the tone for the entire piece. The music is dark and mysterious, with a sense of foreboding. The serpent-woman's theme is introduced by the clarinet, which is then taken up by the rest of the orchestra. The music builds to a climax, with the serpent-woman's theme becoming more and more frenzied, before finally subsiding into a quiet, mournful coda. The second movement, "Lycius," is named after the mortal man who falls in love with Lamia. The music is lighter and more romantic than the first movement, with a sense of hope and joy. The theme of Lycius is introduced by the oboe, which is then taken up by the rest of the orchestra. The music builds to a climax, with the theme becoming more and more passionate, before finally subsiding into a quiet, reflective coda. The third movement, "Destruction," is the most dramatic and intense of the three. The music is fast and furious, with a sense of chaos and destruction. The serpent-woman's theme returns, but this time it is distorted and twisted, reflecting her descent into madness. The music builds to a frenzied climax, with the orchestra playing at full force, before finally subsiding into a quiet, mournful coda. Overall, "Lamia" is a powerful and evocative piece of music, which captures the essence of Keats' poem. Howell's use of melody, harmony, and orchestration is masterful, and the piece remains a testament to her skill as a composer.

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