Royal Winter Music
Encyclopedia
Royal Winter Music is the name given to two solo works for classical guitar
by the German
composer Hans Werner Henze
.
Both works are inspired by characters from Shakespeare. The first work (described as a sonata
) was completed in 1976, and is in six movements. The first part, Richard of Gloucester
gives the overall work its name (from Richard's opening monologue
Now is the winter of our discontent).
The first piece was premiered by Julian Bream
(at whose request Henze had written it) in Berlin
on 20 September 1976.
The second sonata, written in 1979, continues the Shakespearean theme in three parts. Henze has stated that the work as whole is now complete.
The second piece was premiered by Reinbert Evers
in the Goethe-Institut
, Brussels
on 25 November 1980. Both works are dedicated by Julian Bream.
Classical guitar
The classical guitar is a 6-stringed plucked string instrument from the family of instruments called chordophones...
by the German
Germans
The Germans are a Germanic ethnic group native to Central Europe. The English term Germans has referred to the German-speaking population of the Holy Roman Empire since the Late Middle Ages....
composer Hans Werner Henze
Hans Werner Henze
Hans Werner Henze is a German composer of prodigious output best known for "his consistent cultivation of music for the theatre throughout his life"...
.
Both works are inspired by characters from Shakespeare. The first work (described as a sonata
Sonata
Sonata , in music, literally means a piece played as opposed to a cantata , a piece sung. The term, being vague, naturally evolved through the history of music, designating a variety of forms prior to the Classical era...
) was completed in 1976, and is in six movements. The first part, Richard of Gloucester
Richard III of England
Richard III was King of England for two years, from 1483 until his death in 1485 during the Battle of Bosworth Field. He was the last king of the House of York and the last of the Plantagenet dynasty...
gives the overall work its name (from Richard's opening monologue
Richard III (play)
Richard III is a history play by William Shakespeare, believed to have been written in approximately 1591. It depicts the Machiavellian rise to power and subsequent short reign of Richard III of England. The play is grouped among the histories in the First Folio and is most often classified...
Now is the winter of our discontent).
The first piece was premiered by Julian Bream
Julian Bream
Julian Bream, CBE is an English classical guitarist and lutenist and is one of the most distinguished classical guitarists of the 20th century. He has also been successful in renewing popular interest in the Renaissance lute....
(at whose request Henze had written it) in Berlin
Berlin
Berlin is the capital city of Germany and is one of the 16 states of Germany. With a population of 3.45 million people, Berlin is Germany's largest city. It is the second most populous city proper and the seventh most populous urban area in the European Union...
on 20 September 1976.
The second sonata, written in 1979, continues the Shakespearean theme in three parts. Henze has stated that the work as whole is now complete.
The second piece was premiered by Reinbert Evers
Reinbert Evers
-Career:Evers was born in Dortmund. He first studied in Düsseldorf, then in Vienna. He was appointed Professor of Guitar at the Hochschule für Musik Detmold, Dep. Münster in 1976, and in 1980 he received the Young Artists Award from the City of Dortmund. In 1998 and again in 2000 he was docent...
in the Goethe-Institut
Goethe-Institut
The Goethe-Institut is a non-profit German cultural institution operational worldwide, promoting the study of the German language abroad and encouraging international cultural exchange and relations. The Goethe-Institut also fosters knowledge about Germany by providing information on German...
, Brussels
Brussels
Brussels , officially the Brussels Region or Brussels-Capital Region , is the capital of Belgium and the de facto capital of the European Union...
on 25 November 1980. Both works are dedicated by Julian Bream.
First Sonata on Shakespearean Characters
- Gloucester
- Romeo and JulietRomeo and JulietRomeo and Juliet is a tragedy written early in the career of playwright William Shakespeare about two young star-crossed lovers whose deaths ultimately unite their feuding families. It was among Shakespeare's most popular archetypal stories of young, teenage lovers.Romeo and Juliet belongs to a...
- Ariel
- Ophelia
- Touchstone, Audrey and WilliamAs You Like ItAs You Like It is a pastoral comedy by William Shakespeare believed to have been written in 1599 or early 1600 and first published in the folio of 1623. The play's first performance is uncertain, though a performance at Wilton House in 1603 has been suggested as a possibility...
- OberonOberonOberon is a legendary king of the fairies.Oberon may also refer to:-People:* Merle Oberon , British actress* Oberon Zell-Ravenheart , Neopagan activist-Media and entertainment:* Oberon...
Second Sonata on Shakespearean Characters
- Sir Andrew Aguecheek (Junker Bleichenwang)
- BottomNick BottomNick Bottom is a character in Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream who provides comic relief throughout the play, and is famously known for getting his head transformed into that of an ass by the elusive Puck within the play.- Overview :...
's Dream - Mad Lady MacbethLady MacbethLady Macbeth may refer to:*Lady Macbeth, from William Shakespeare's play Macbeth**Queen Gruoch of Scotland, the real-life Queen on whom Shakespeare based the character...