Symphony No.3 "Te Deum" - Darius Milhaud

Basel Radio Symphony Orchestra & Choir of the Theater Basel conducted by Alun Francis.

I - Fièrement: 0:00
II - Très recueilli: 5:46
III - Pastorale: 15:56
IV - Te Deum: 19:50

Milhaud's Symphony No.3 was composed in 1946, being commissioned by Henri Barraud, the director of the French Radio service, to commemorate the victory of the Allies in World War II. It was premiered on October 30 of 1947, conducted by Roger Desormière. The piece requested was supposed to be a Te Deum, but Milhaud expanded the commission into a choral symphony.

The first movement is written in ternary form. It begins with a solemn and bright main theme, which is exposed and unfolded through Milhaud's characteristic polytonality. A more melodic second theme is introduced by the wood, soon in counterpoint with a bouncy motive when taken by strings. The main theme is then recapitulated, leading us to a victorious coda.

The second movement is monothematic in form. It opens with a solemn chorale as the main theme, introduced by orchestra and humming chorus. In this movement, the human voice is used as a wordless instrument, exchanging with the orchestra antiphonally, that is singing alternate musical phrases. After a more expressive and dramatic central section, we return to the opening sobriety and recollection. A solemn coda ends the movement.

The third movement is also monothematic in form. It begins with a joyful main theme in form of a dance, reminiscent of the proveçal music the composer was familiar with. It goes through different guises and twists, reaching a more jagged and angular central section. The main theme then reappears in its original form, followed by a vibrant and forceful coda.

The fourth movement is written in ternary form. It opens with a radiant orchestral polytonal entrance, followed by the chorus singing the first stanzas of the Te Deum, a hymn in praise of God. The brief polytonal orchestral interludes serve as refrains through the movement. The soprano sings a stanza, preceding a massive climax with chorus and orchestra. A calmer contrasting central section opens with a stanza for solo tenor, continued on full chorus. The bass sings a stanza before being answered by the chorus. After a new climax, a soprano stanza is answered by the final intervention of the chorus. A triumphal coda ends the work brilliantly.

[Activate the subtitles to read the lyrics]

Picture: Photograph of a French woman waving the French Tricolor in tribute to the forces which liberated her city as they march past the Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris, France. August 26 of 1944.

Musical analysis written by myself. Source: https://tinyurl.com/2auk5wz5

Unfortunately, the score is not freely available.

Видео Symphony No.3 "Te Deum" - Darius Milhaud канала Sergio Cánovas