Symphony No. 1
Lee Actor
About this work:
My intention in writing Symphony No. 1 was to produce, in the grand historical tradition of the symphony, a serious, deeply felt work of symphonic scope.
The first movement, Prelude, starts with a slow introduction, which contains all of the seminal musical material for the entire piece. The lively main body of the movement which follows has several points in common with classical sonata form, although the harmonic scheme is decidedly non-classical. The exposition contains two main theme groups, the first being rhythmically compelling, while the second is more lyrical in nature. A martial-like development section then follows, in which the previously heard thematic material is transformed. This leads to a significantly modified recapitulation of the exposition, followed by a short coda. The movement ends in a questioning mood with a melancholy trumpet solo.
The second movement, Lament, is a personal statement about grief and loss, and the struggle of the individual against an impersonal universe. It opens with a dissonant chorale based on a four-note motif, and is followed by a four-part canon using the same motif. Several variations of the chorale idea alternate with slowly building contrapuntal passages, eventually resulting in a shattering final climax. A lone harp emerges from the emotional turmoil, but lasts only briefly. A final, halting version of the chorale is heard, and the movement ends in a mood of utter resignation.
The third movement, Finale, immediately dispels the darkness of the preceding movement. This movement is a hybrid form, containing elements of rondo, sonata, and arch form. After a brief introduction, which is closely related to the first movement, the cheerful main theme is heard in the strings, ascending in whole steps, accompanied by chirping woodwinds. The tail end of this motif becomes an undulating accompaniment in the lower strings, ushering in a quirky march for brass and woodwinds, though the latter sometimes have difficulty deciding what key to play in. This leads back to a varied restatement of the main theme in a new key. There follows an extended, multi-part development section, in the middle of which a fugue threatens to break out. A chorale over a pedal point on E starts in the brass and eventually the rest of the orchestra joins in. This results in a brief climax, which subsides and finally finds its way back to the original main theme, this time in woodwinds with pizzicato accompaniment. The quirky march then returns, but now in a more unified, resolute guise. The coda begins with a slow, lyrical version of the main theme, but descending instead of ascending. After an allusion to the first movement, a short transition metamorphoses back into the opening figure of the Finale. All uncertainties resolved, the work ends in a triumphal spirit.
Symphony No. 1 was commissioned by the Palo Alto Philharmonic in honor of their 15th anniversary.
Year composed: 2002
Duration: 00:33:00
Ensemble type: Orchestra:Standard Orchestra
Instrumentation: 2 Flute, 2 Oboe, 2 Clarinet, 2 Bassoon, 4 Horn in F, 2 Trumpet, 3 Trombone, 1 Tuba, 1 Timpani, 2 Percussion (General), 1 Strings (General), 1 Harp