The other most beautiful opening
By Richard. Thursday, 12. October 2006, 00:07:42
Undoubtedly, Symphony No. 3 A Pastoral Symphony by Ralph Vaughan Williams. Again, we have Beethoven to thank for expressly Romantic concept of a pastoral symphony, with, ironically, Vaughan Williams' symphony representing a post-WWI swan song of the form.
Even Williams' later work in a similarly melodic and reflective manner (e.g. Symphony No. 5), shows a striking difference. The social dissonance of the post war period becomes fully incorporated into a style that reflects some of the many cross-currents of musical thought that came into fruition at that time.
But Symphony No. 3 is not there yet - rather it is a first attempt to reconcile the Romantic tradition with the modern phenomenom of mass slaughter through the medium of a modal, folk-tune influenced, elegy. As such, it still conveys a sense of wide-eyed innocence come face-to-face with horror, and a recoiling into older and calmer thoughts in an attempt to assimilate these unwelcome events.
Even Williams' later work in a similarly melodic and reflective manner (e.g. Symphony No. 5), shows a striking difference. The social dissonance of the post war period becomes fully incorporated into a style that reflects some of the many cross-currents of musical thought that came into fruition at that time.
But Symphony No. 3 is not there yet - rather it is a first attempt to reconcile the Romantic tradition with the modern phenomenom of mass slaughter through the medium of a modal, folk-tune influenced, elegy. As such, it still conveys a sense of wide-eyed innocence come face-to-face with horror, and a recoiling into older and calmer thoughts in an attempt to assimilate these unwelcome events.
WIDGETIZE