a monumental composition

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a monumental composition" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a significant or impressive piece of music, literature, or art that has great importance or impact. Example: "The symphony is considered a monumental composition that changed the landscape of classical music forever."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

The Creation is a monumental composition, and Haydn isn't in any hurry.

The Guardian

"Les Cariatides," a monumental composition painted by Paul Delvaux in February 1946, represented the purely figural vein of Surrealism.

The New York Times - Arts

"Man-Si," a name found in Myanmar, refers to a monumental composition in reddish browns — the color of the robes worn by Buddhist monks.

The New York Times - Arts

In the early '30s he created for Philipon "Le Ventre legislatif" ("The Legislative Belly"), at once a political indictment, a rogue's gallery of caricatures, and a monumental composition; not to mention a long series of more detailed single antiportraits.

Encyclopedia Britannica

His "Mankind's Eternal Dilemna: The Choice between Vice and Virtue," a monumental composition by Frans Francken the Younger, reportedly priced around €14 million, is believed to have found a taker at the private viewing.

The New York Times - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

At first sight Bernard Shaw's Man and Superman, which opens at the National Theatre this month, is a complex, monumental composition – "quite the biggest thing he has done", decided Beatrice Webb, to whom he had read it over "three delightful evenings".

The Guardian

The most essential change consisted of a more monumental composition.

Wikipedia

Aristotle's conception of the Odyssey as a work of Homer's old age is not impossible; but if the Iliad is the earlier of the two (as seems likely from its simpler structure and the greater frequency of relatively late linguistic forms in the Odyssey), then the Odyssey could have been created after its image, and as a conscious supplement, once the example of monumental composition had been given.

Britannica

This monumental composition had been played by the Philharmonic at the opening of Carnegie Hall, in 1891, and the orchestra was planning to repeat its original program on May 5th at Carnegie, to celebrate the hall's 90th birthday.

The New Yorker

1617/1618 and c. 1621/1627; with Giovanni Lanfranco)—employ Caravaggio's use of dramatic, unconventional gesture and monumental composition, his uncompromising realism and contemporary representation of figure types, and to some extent his strong chiaroscuro, or light-and-dark contrast.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The monumental composition, the expressive use of monochrome ink, and the powerful angularity of the brush work, in which the artist hacks out the facets of his rocks by means of a slanting "ax-cut" stroke, are features that first had been developed by Li Tang, the senior landscapist in the Imperial Academy in the last years of the Northern Song dynasty.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing artistic endeavors, use "a monumental composition" to convey the scale, ambition, and lasting impact of the work. It's especially fitting for pieces that represent significant cultural or historical moments.

Common error

Avoid using "a monumental composition" when describing everyday tasks or minor achievements. The phrase is best reserved for truly significant artistic or intellectual creations to prevent sounding hyperbolic or pretentious.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a monumental composition" functions as a noun phrase, where "monumental" serves as an adjective modifying the noun "composition". It describes a work of art, music, or literature that is significant and impressive, as supported by Ludwig AI's analysis.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Encyclopedias

40%

Academia

0%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Science

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a monumental composition" is a noun phrase used to describe a creative work of significant scale and impact. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and suitable for formal contexts, particularly in art, music, and literature. While its frequency is rare, with instances primarily found in news media and encyclopedias, its deliberate and impactful use contributes to effectively conveying the importance of the work being described. Consider alternatives like "an epic creation" or "a landmark work" depending on your focus.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an epic creation

Replaces 'composition' with 'creation' and uses 'epic' instead of 'monumental', emphasizing the grand scale and narrative scope.

a masterful creation

Replaces 'monumental' with 'masterful,' emphasizing skill and expertise in the creation.

a landmark work

Substitutes 'monumental' with 'landmark,' highlighting the composition's importance as a reference point or milestone.

an outstanding work of art

Expands 'composition' to 'work of art' and uses 'outstanding' to denote exceptional quality.

an impressive opus

Replaces 'composition' with 'opus,' often used for musical or literary works, and 'monumental' with 'impressive'.

a towering achievement

Changes the noun to 'achievement' and the adjective to 'towering' to focus on the accomplishment aspect.

a remarkable piece

Similar to "a significant piece", but with slightly stronger emphasis on the exceptional quality.

a significant piece

Replaces both 'monumental' and 'composition' with more general terms, suitable for a wider range of contexts but less emphatic.

a grand design

Uses 'design' to refer to the structure and 'grand' to convey scale and ambition.

a prodigious undertaking

Focuses on the effort and ambition involved, using 'undertaking' and 'prodigious'.

FAQs

How can I use "a monumental composition" in a sentence?

You can use "a monumental composition" to describe a significant and impressive artistic, musical, or literary work. For instance, "Beethoven's Ninth Symphony is considered "a monumental composition" in classical music".

What are some alternatives to "a monumental composition"?

Alternatives include "an epic creation", "a landmark work", or "a significant piece". The best choice depends on the specific context and the aspect you want to emphasize.

Is it appropriate to use "a monumental composition" in informal writing?

While grammatically correct, "a monumental composition" is generally better suited for formal or academic writing. In informal contexts, simpler phrases like "an impressive work" or "a great piece" might be more appropriate.

What makes a composition "monumental"?

A composition is considered "monumental" when it is significant in scale, ambition, and impact. It often signifies a work that has lasting importance and influence in its field, demonstrating exceptional skill and vision.