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The Clock and the Dresden Figures

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The Clock and the Dresden Figures
Light music by Albert Ketèlbey
Dresden china clock
Composed1930 (1930)
PerformedFebruary 8, 1930 (1930-02-08)
Published1930 (1930)
Scoring
  • piano (or xylophone)
  • orchestra

The Clock and the Dresden Figures is a piece of light classical music for piano with orchestra (or military band) by Albert Ketèlbey. It was composed, first performed and published in 1930.

History

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The Clock and the Dresden Figures was premiered on 8 February 1930, using manuscript parts. The first recording was made on 27 February, resulting in a simultaneous issue of the recording and the sheet music, which was published by Bosworth.[1][2] A version for xylophone replacing the piano was published later.[1]

Theme and music

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A synopsis by the composer mentions that two Dresden china figures, which stand right and lift of a clock come to life. They dance, with the ticking clock providing the beat. When the Clock goes wrong, its spring breaks, and the figures return to their first positions.[1]

In 1930, it was recorded, with the composer as the pianist,[3] who took a fast tempo.[1] It was reissued in 2002 in a collection of his light music.[4]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d McCanna, Tom. "The Clock and the Dresden Figures". albertketelbey.org.uk. Retrieved 3 August 2016.
  2. ^ McCanna, Tom. "Works for orchestra". albertketelbey.org.uk. Retrieved 4 July 2016.
  3. ^ Woolf, Jonathan (2003). "British Light Music / Albert Ketèlbey (1875–1959) / In a Monastery Garden". musicweb-international.com. Retrieved 2 August 2016.
  4. ^ "Ketelbey: In a Monastery Garden (Ketelbey) (1924–1932)". Naxos. 2002. Retrieved 19 July 2016.
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