Composer

:

Allan Pettersson

Genre

:

Symphony

Style

:

Symphony

Compose Date

:

1963 - 1966

First Performance

:

Jan 21, 1968

Average_duration

:

60:39

Allan Pettersson's Symphony No.6 is a monumental work that was composed between 1963 and 1966. It was premiered on May 12, 1967, by the Swedish Radio Symphony Orchestra under the baton of Antal Doráti. The symphony is divided into four movements and has a total duration of approximately 50 minutes. The first movement, marked "Allegro," begins with a powerful and dissonant chord that sets the tone for the entire symphony. The music is characterized by its intense and relentless energy, with driving rhythms and angular melodies that create a sense of urgency and tension. The movement features a number of contrasting sections, including a lyrical theme played by the strings and a frenzied climax that builds to a thunderous conclusion. The second movement, marked "Adagio," is a stark contrast to the first. It is a slow and mournful lament that features a haunting melody played by the solo viola. The music is characterized by its dark and brooding atmosphere, with long, sustained notes and a sense of profound sadness and loss. The third movement, marked "Allegro," returns to the frenetic energy of the first. It is a wild and chaotic scherzo that features a number of contrasting sections, including a playful theme played by the woodwinds and a driving, rhythmic section that builds to a frenzied climax. The final movement, marked "Adagio," is a powerful and emotional conclusion to the symphony. It begins with a mournful theme played by the strings, which is then taken up by the entire orchestra. The music builds to a series of climaxes, each more intense than the last, before finally resolving in a quiet and contemplative coda. Overall, Pettersson's Symphony No.6 is a deeply emotional and powerful work that showcases the composer's unique voice and uncompromising vision. It is characterized by its intense energy, dissonant harmonies, and profound emotional depth, and stands as one of the most important symphonies of the 20th century.

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