Symphony No. 2 (Albert) Explained

The Symphony No. 2 is a three-movement symphony for orchestra by the American composer Stephen Albert. The work was commissioned by the New York Philharmonic for their sesquicentennial anniversary. However, the piece had to be completed posthumously by the composer Sebastian Currier after Albert died suddenly in a car crash on December 27, 1992. The first performance took place November 10, 1994 with the New York Philharmonic conducted by Hugh Wolff. Albert's previous Symphony No. 1 RiverRun had won the Pulitzer Prize for Music in 1985.^{[1] [2] [3]}

Composition

Structure

The symphony has a duration of approximately thirty minutes and is composed in three movements:

1. Allegro
2. Adagio
3. Allegro

Currier's contribution

Fellow composer and music critic Steve Schwartz wrote about the work:

Reception

In reviewing the work, Schwartz compared the piece favorably to Albert's Symphony No. 1, saying, "Albert resorts to ostinatos less and concentrates on counterpoint more." Schwartz added, "The symphony runs tighter than its sibling, with an increase of power, as well as clearer, with a corresponding jump in tension."

Notes and References

1. Web site: Kozinn . Allan . Allan Kozinn . Stephen J. Albert, 51, Composer; Won a Pulitzer for His 'Riverrun' . . December 29, 1992 . April 8, 2015.
2. Web site: Wigler . Stephen . Stephen Albert, his melodious music helped define the 'New Romanticism' . . December 29, 1992 . April 8, 2015.
3. Web site: Stephen Albert . . January 4, 1993 . April 8, 2015.