Symphony No. 1
Judith Lang Zaimont
About this work:
3-3-3-3; 4-3-3-1; harp; piano; 4 perc; strings (28')
Publisher - Sounds Alive!
* Winner of 1994 McCollin International Competition for Composers (First Prize)
Commissioned by the Central Wisconsin Symphony Orchestra
First Performance: April 1994
Other Performances: Philadelphia Orchestra - subscription series, January 1996.
"A splendid work, and a genuine symphony. The orchestration is admirable and always telling. . . .
It has been some time since I've heard three movements hang together so well and shed light on each other."
-- Dominick Argento
"This three-movement work is made of primary colors, bold sweeps of sound, widely spaced and often consonant brass chords. They proclaimed a central musical idea that moved through the entire work and blossomed in the jaunty march tune that closes it.
Zaimont exploits the true sound of the trumpet and trombone, the violas and the sweetness of the violin's upper strings. The broad range of percussion instruments included nothing exotic, just brass, skins and wood. The music was an affirmation of the elements of the orchestra. The work often proposed lyrical, woodwind ideas and string passages of flowing grace. They were spaced by big, bronzy chords and interjections and percussive outbursts. The march that closes the works uses intricacy to suggest simplicity. Its opening tested everyone's agility and rhythmic security before it turned into a winning march tune. The composer took the stage at the end to face an enthusiastic audience."
-- Daniel Webster in The Philadelphia Inquirer
Year composed: 1994
Duration: 00:28:00
Ensemble type: Orchestra:Standard Orchestra
Instrumentation: 3 Flute, 3 Oboe, 4 English Horn, 3 Clarinet, 3 Bassoon, 3 Trumpet, 3 Trombone, 1 Tuba, 4 Percussion (General), 1 Piano, 12 Violin, 4 Viola, 2 Cello, 2 Double bass, 1 Harp