Symphony No. 5 (Simpson)
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The Symphony No. 5 by Robert Simpson was written in 1972 and "dedicated in admiration" to the London Symphony Orchestra, who gave the premiere on May 3, 1973, conducted by Andrew Davis. The second performance in England didn't take place until 1984.[1]
The orchestra used is of a similar size to Symphony No. 4. The shape of the work is broadly symmetrical; with two violent and raucous allegro movements enclosing two slow "canone" movements which themselves enclose a central scherzino, as shown below. The whole work is played without break between movements
- I Allegro -
- II Canone 1: Tranquillo -
- III Scherzino -
- IV Canone 2: Largo -
- V Allegro con molto fuoco
The material which comprises this symphony is based on an enigmatic six-note chord of interlocking tenths (C and E, D and F#, A-flat and C) which opens the work, very softly from the strings and virtually motionless. Less than a minute in, the orchestra explodes into the main part of the raucous opening allegro; moods of terror and fierce determination right on the surface. The movement closes in the same way in which it began with the six-note chord.
The second movement uses the same chord to define its structural processes. It is perhaps the most peaceful of the movements, and various subtleties are explored by the composer, including the development of a trill motive that was given its first appearance in the opening movement.
The third movement is a very brief and violent scherzino in 5/8, which feels like a patrol march, approaching to a central climax and then fading away.
The fourth movement is the second slow "Canone" movement and similarly evolves from the six-note chord, but the atmosphere here is even more disturbed, even ghostly; a melody of a cool voice presents itself and dominates the movement before a long and sinister crescendo leads in the the finale.
The last movement is perhaps the most violent piece of music Simpson ever wrote, being even more volcanic and eruptive than the opening movement which maintains a relatively loud dynamic for most of the time. Here, brass and percussion readily interject into powerful ostinatos built up quietly in the strings. The work closes in the same way it began, this time the chord fading away in its own time.
[edit] Discography
Currently, the only commercially available CD is a Hyperion Records release which also includes Symphony No. 3, both performed by the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Vernon Handley.[2]
[edit] References
- ^ Mark Doran, "Robert Simpson: His Fifth Symphony at the Proms," The Musical Times 131 1770 (1990): 422 - 423. "Andrew Davis conducts the work again in the Prom on 9 August."
- ^ Andrew Jacksons, "Recordings and Reviews of Simpson's Works. Accessed 4 March 2008
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