Composer

:

Aaron Copland

Genre

:

Symphony

Style

:

Symphony

Compose Date

:

1932 - 1933

Average_duration

:

15:31

Movement_count

:

3

Movement ....

Aaron Copland's Symphony No. 2, also known as the Short Symphony, was composed in 1933 and premiered on April 17, 1934, by the Boston Symphony Orchestra under the direction of Serge Koussevitzky. The symphony is divided into three movements and has a total duration of approximately 15 minutes. The first movement, marked "Molto moderato," begins with a slow and somber introduction featuring the strings. The main theme is then introduced by the woodwinds, which is characterized by its syncopated rhythm and playful melody. The movement is structured in a traditional sonata form, with the development section featuring a more dissonant and intense treatment of the main theme. The movement ends with a quiet and introspective coda. The second movement, marked "Allegro," is a lively and energetic scherzo. The movement is characterized by its use of syncopated rhythms and playful melodies, which are passed between the different sections of the orchestra. The middle section of the movement features a more lyrical and expressive theme, which is then developed and transformed in the following section. The movement ends with a brief reprise of the opening material. The final movement, marked "Lento molto," is a slow and contemplative adagio. The movement begins with a mournful theme played by the strings, which is then developed and expanded upon by the rest of the orchestra. The movement is characterized by its use of lush harmonies and expressive melodies, which create a sense of longing and nostalgia. The movement ends with a quiet and introspective coda, bringing the symphony to a peaceful and reflective close. Overall, Copland's Symphony No. 2 is a concise and tightly constructed work, characterized by its use of playful melodies, syncopated rhythms, and lush harmonies. The symphony showcases Copland's ability to blend traditional forms and techniques with modernist sensibilities, creating a work that is both accessible and innovative.

More....