3rd symphony (Panufnik)

from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Andrzej Panufnik

The 3rd symphony by the Polish-British composer Andrzej Panufnik (1914–1991) was written in 1963 and is entitled "Sinfonia Sacra".

Origin and premiere

Panufnik's 3rd Symphony was written in 1963 as a commission from the Kosciuszko Foundation , New York City. It refers to the millennium of Polish Christianization celebrated by the Polish Church in 1966 (which the political leadership of the time celebrated as 1000 years of statehood), as indicated by its title “Sinfonia Sacra”. It was awarded the first Prince Rainier First Prize in 1963, the year it was created. It was premiered on August 12, 1964 in Monte Carlo , with the orchestra of the Monte Carlo Opéra under the direction of Louis Frémaux . The American premiere was conducted by Leopold Stokowski .

Cast, playing time and characterization

The score provides for the following occupation before: two flutes , piccolo , two oboes , English horn , two clarinets , bass clarinet , two bassoons , contrabassoon , 4 or 6 horns , three trumpets , one trombone , timpani , percussion ( snare drum , snare drum , bass drum , Tam-tam , large cymbal , hanging cymbal, large and small triangle ) and strings .

Bogurodzica

The playing time of Andrzej Panufnik's “Sinfonia Sacra” is around 22 minutes.

The work consists of two parts, each about 11 minutes playing time, with the first part “Three Visions” in turn being in three parts.

Part 1:

Vision I ( Maestoso )
Vision II ( Larghetto )
Vision III ( Allegro assai - Agitato )

Part 2:

Hymn ( Andante sostenuto - Maestoso )

As a musical basis, Panufnik chose the Bogurodzica , probably from the 13th century , the first known hymn in the Polish language. The three visions, which together form the first part, are based on the intervals of the first four notes of the Bogurodzica melody: fourth in Vision I, major second in Vision II and minor second in Vision III. Vision I opens the “Sinfonia Sacra” as a solemn fanfare of the 4 trumpets that are positioned around the orchestra. Vision II is played by the strings alone. According to the composer, it should “create a mystical and contemplative atmosphere”. Vision III is “an expression of an intricate conflict that grows to riot and protest, until a sudden cut leads to complete silence.” According to Panufnik, the concluding hymn has “the character of a simple prayer to Our Lady, which is supposed to express adoration and warmth of the heart. It begins pianissimo with flageolet tones in the strings, grows increasingly into an ever more fervent supplication, until finally the authentic melody of the Bogurodzica breaks through […]. ”For the final climax, the trumpets take up the music of Vision I again.

Individual evidence

  1. ↑ Boosey & Hawkes publisher's information
  2. ↑ This and the following quotations from: CD supplement Ondine ODE 1101-5, text: Bernard Jacobson (2006), translation: Regine Hausmann-Manet (A. Panufnik: Heroic Overture, Sinfonia Sacra et al., Tampere Philh. Orch., Head of John Storgårds)

swell