Symphony no1 - 'The Gloucester Symphony'
Op5 no5
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Children's Games - watercolour specially created by artist Adam White for the symphony premiere. (This painting received an 'excellence in watercolour prize' from the Royal West of England Academy)
live excerpt (From the final movement; based on a 6th Century chant. Recorded at the world-premiere performed by the Gloucestershire Symphony Orchestra on June 7th 2008 in Gloucester Cathedral)
'This work is well-deserving of
future performances'
Jill Bacon Glos. Echo
video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gai6Poej4xk
Symphony no1 (The Gloucester Symphony) was written in response to vandals smashing the stained glass windows of Gloucester Cathedral. I wanted to turn a destructive act into a creative one.
The work begins with a simple motif, based on an augmented fourth played by the solo clarinet. This represents the first stone thrown. This theme is much developed throughout the symphony.
The music also represents a journey through time, from Glevum (the Roman garrison) to todays Gloucester with its frenetic traffic and busy streets.
The ‘Cathedral Theme’ appears several times as big, powerful, uplifting parallel chords. The River Severn flows steadily onwards flooding its banks at times but the choir and bells that sing out at the very end of the piece recall a distant memory of the 6th Century chant Christe Redemptor Omnium.
Finally the Cathedral regains its dignity which was never truly lost.
Duration
52 minutes in four movements
- Introduction
- Scherzo & Fugue
- Adagio
- Finale
Scoring
pic, 2fl (2nd doubles alto), 2 ob, c.a., 2cl in Bb, b.cl, 2bsn, c.bsn, 4hns, 3tpts, 2ten trb, b.trb, tba, 4 percussion (including piano and celeste), timps, harp, church organ, strings, 3 handbell ringers and SATB semi-chorus
1st performance
June 7th, 2008 in Gloucester Cathedral with the Gloucestershire Symphony Orchestra - conductor Mark Finch
(Part of the Cotswolds Collection)
Next: The Cheltenham Symphony