Symphony No.5 - Arnold Bax

BBC Philharmonic conducted by Vernon Handley

I - Poco lento - Allegro con fuoco - Moderato: 0:00
II - Poco lento - Molto tranquillo: 15:40
III - Poco moderato - Allegro - Epilogue. Doppio movimento alla breve: 25:57

The fifth symphony of Bax was finished orchestrating in March 1932. It premiered on January 15, 1934, directed by Thomas Beecham. At that time, Bax had become the most important British symphonic composer after Elgar, at a time when the importance of the genre was being reborn. The work is dedicated to the Finnish composer Jean Sibelius.

The first movement begins with a slow introduction. The first motif appears as a rhythmic figure in the tubes and another in the low strings that ascends. The tension increases until it reaches the climax. After a pause appears the first theme that has a rhythm of "cake-walk", an Afro-American dance. After its development, the second lyrical theme is presented with a broad melodic line. Then the oboe repeats the theme on a magical harmony. The return of the first topic announces the development section. After arriving at its climax the ideas of the introduction reappear, without presenting a true recapitulation. Finish slowly with a short coda.

The second movement presents us a majestic landscape, through the fanfares of the trumpets on the tremolandi of the strings and the figurations of the harp. The basses of the strings present the main theme. In the central section the English horn introduces a new theme, accompanied by the harp. The music has a very impressionistic character. The first theme reappears in the final part.

The last movement begins with a slow presentation in the form of an anthem of the main theme through the strings. It continues with a long section containing a thematic idea of ​​great vigor and rhythm. The trombones present a new theme on a rythmic motive interpreted by the strings. After arriving at its climax, the slow initial theme reappears, reaching its peak and then dissolving. The work ends with an epilogue, as in all his last symphonies. A new fast section that ends in a climax, precedes the presentation of the initial theme in the form of an anthem. The last notes of great solemnity finish the work triumphantly.

In the summer of 1931 Bax made a visit to Finland and his great veneration for the music of Sibelius increases, which is reflected in the music composed in this period. But the subtle orchestration has the characteristic style of Bax. The landscape presented at the beginning of the second movement corresponds to the sensation experienced when suddenly discovering the sea from the top of the cliffs of Slieve League. Bax writes the following related to this reason:

"Whoever climbs the mountain from the south can not see the sea and when he finally discovers it at almost two thousand feet, he can not help but be impressed by the spectacle that suddenly appears with the horizon half tilted against the sky."

The cliffs of Slieve League, the gray mountain, are located on the western coast of County Donegal in the north of Ireland. They say they are the highest in Europe with a vertical fall of three hundred meters over the raging waves of the Atlantic. This creates a frightening landscape but full of magnificence.

Sources: http://www.historiadelasinfonia.es/historia-2/siglo-xx/bax/

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