Metamorphosis-Symphonies

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The German composer Martin Scherber (1907-1974) created three symphonies. Just before the outbreak of World War II he wrote his First Symphony in d-moll in Nuremberg. After the war he continued his musical path with the Second Symphony in f-minor and the Third Symphony in b-minor, which followed this directly. The composer called them 'Metamorphosis Symphonies'.

They grow only from one theme. This centralizes everything with its weaving metamorphoses and gives the symphonies a breathing rhythm."There is not only a horizontal 'exposition' in a single voice but the 'accompaying' instruments also take motifs and their variants" all through the symphony, "resulting in a vertical density of internal relationships." [1]

In this way Martin Scherber develops an organic music in constant transformation. Like Johann Wolfgang von Goethe he experienced within himself a continual metamorphosis of musical themes as result of his connection with forces of life. By discovering this he was able to change the methods of composing and gave new life to the symphony, including its formal aspects[2].


[edit] References

  1. ^ Henning Kunze: Booklet 3.Symphonie in h-moll durch Martin Scherber, p. 12, Peermusic classical/col legno, 2001
  2. ^ Listening Symphony No. 3 in B minor