|
(William Alwyn)
This symphony was composed for the Norwish Triennial
Festival in 1973 and is dedicated "to the immortal memory of Sir Thomas
Browne (1605-1682)" and each movement in the symphony is written for, accompanied
by, a quotation from his Hydriotaphia: Urn Burial, or a Discourse of the
Sepulchral Urns lately found in Norfolk. The piece lasts between 14 and 15 minutes and similarities
to Schoenberg and Berg have been observed. The movements are:
(i)
Introduction ("Life is a pure flame, and we all live by an
invisible sun within us")
(ii)
Slow Movement ("But these are sad and sepulchral pitchers,
which have no joyful voices: silently expressing old mortality, the ruins
of forgotten time")
(iii)
Scherzo ("Simplicity flies away, and iniquity comes at
long strides upon us")
(iv)
Finale ("Man is a noble animal, splendid in ashes, and
pompous in the grave")
London Symphony Orchestra recordings
Chandos CHAN 9196
Conductor -
Richard Hickox
Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra recordings
Naxos 8.557647
Conductor - David
Lloyd-Jones
Sources:
- http://www.musicweb.uk.net/Programme_Notes/alwyn_sym5.htm
- http://www.naxos.com/catalogue/item.asp?item_code=8.557647#
|
