Composer

:

Arnold Bax

Genre

:

Symphony

Style

:

Symphony

Compose Date

:

1938 - 1939

Average_duration

:

45:24

Movement_count

:

3

Movement ....

Arnold Bax's Symphony No. 7 in A flat major was composed in 1939-1940 and premiered on October 31, 1942, by the BBC Symphony Orchestra conducted by Sir Adrian Boult. The symphony is in four movements and has a total duration of approximately 40 minutes. The first movement, marked Moderato maestoso, begins with a solemn and majestic theme played by the brass section. The theme is then developed and expanded upon by the strings and woodwinds, creating a sense of tension and drama. The movement ends with a quiet and introspective coda. The second movement, marked Allegro molto, is a scherzo that features a lively and energetic theme played by the strings. The theme is then passed around the orchestra, with each section adding their own unique color and texture. The middle section of the movement is more subdued, featuring a lyrical theme played by the woodwinds. The third movement, marked Andante espressivo, is a slow and melancholic movement that features a hauntingly beautiful theme played by the strings. The theme is then developed and expanded upon by the woodwinds and brass, creating a sense of longing and nostalgia. The movement ends with a quiet and introspective coda. The fourth and final movement, marked Allegro con fuoco, is a lively and energetic movement that features a driving and rhythmic theme played by the brass. The theme is then developed and expanded upon by the strings and woodwinds, creating a sense of excitement and anticipation. The movement ends with a triumphant and exuberant coda. Overall, Bax's Symphony No. 7 in A flat major is a powerful and emotional work that showcases the composer's mastery of orchestration and his ability to create a wide range of moods and emotions through music. The symphony is characterized by its lush harmonies, colorful orchestration, and dramatic contrasts between sections.

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