Symphony in B-flat (Chausson)

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Ernest Chausson's only symphony in B-flat Major op. 20 was written in the year 1890 and first performed on April 1891 at a concert of the Société Nationale de Musique conducted by the composer. As with César Franck's sole Symphony symphony the critics were divided. The work may be arguably named as Chausson's masterpiece.

[edit] Instrumentation

The score calls for 2 flutes, piccolo, 2 oboes, cor anglais, 2 clarinets in B flat, bass clarinet, 3 bassoons, 4 horns in F, 4 trumpets, 3 trombones, tuba, timpani, 2 harps and strings.

[edit] Structure

The symphony follows the 3-movement form as established by Chausson's teacher and mentor César Franck, it also employs the cyclic form of recurring themes.

I. Lent-Allegro vivo
II. Très Lent
III. Animé

The first movement follows a personal adaption of sonata-form with a highly dramatic slow introduction, followed by a very swift allegro vivo with lots of impressionistic chords. The second movement is of free form, with expressive orchestration (including a solo cello). The third movement is a rondo structure, which unexpectedly booms in. The conclusion of the symphony is undoubtedly the most moving of all with the theme of the first movement stealing in and fading in serenity at the end. The symphony in short is a very sophisticated blend of French romanticism, Wagnerian chromatism (favored by his teacher Franck) and subtle impressionism (favored by Claude Debussy, a very good friend of the composer). All these build up Chausson's highly personal and expressive style, which developed further in his final orchestral piece, the tone poem "Soir de fête". It is unfortunate that Chausson's music remains fairly unknown to the public, although a recording of his orchestral works exists (by Chandos, CHAN 9650, with the BBC Philharmonic under Yan Pascal Tortelier).