Symphony No. 1 (Harbison) Explained

The Symphony No. 1 is the first symphony by the American composer John Harbison. The work was commissioned by the Boston Symphony Orchestra^[1] and was composed in 1981. It was given its world premiere in Boston on March 22, 1984 by the Boston Symphony Orchestra under the conductor Seiji Ozawa.^[2]

Composition

The symphony has a duration of roughly 24 minutes and is composed in four movements:

1. Drammatico
2. Allegro sfumato
3. Paesaggio: andante
4. Tempo giusto

Instrumentation

The work is scored for a large orchestra comprising three flutes (doubling piccolo and alto flute), three oboes (doubling English horn), three clarinets (doubling bass clarinet), three bassoons (doubling contrabassoon), four horns, two trumpets, three trombones, tuba, timpani, six percussionists, harp, and strings.

Reception

Reviewing a 1989 performance by the Philadelphia Orchestra, Lesley Valdes of The Philadelphia Inquirer wrote, "Although it sometimes overstresses its points, the symphony has heft and atmosphere." She added:

Notes and References

1. Web site: Powers . Keith . Morlot takes up the BSO's Harbison mantle in convincing fashion . Boston Classical Review . November 25, 2011 . April 30, 2016.
2. Web site: Harbison . John . John Harbison . 1981 . Symphony No. 1 . . April 30, 2016.