6th Symphony (Butting)

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The symphony No. 6 op.44 is a work by the composer Max Butting from 1945 to 1953.

History of origin

The 6th Symphony has all symphonies Max Butting the longest history. Like her two previous works, Butting composed her under the direct influence of the Second World War. The first set was completed before the end of the war in 1945, the other sets followed in the course of the year. Butting was initially not satisfied with the work. In his memory book "Music history that I witnessed", written in 1954, he noted:

“When I skipped [the symphony] I found it so unsuccessful that I wrote the score for the second time. I had the impression that the last months of the war had piled up too much material in me and left me too little opportunity for conscious, concentrated design. Since I didn't like the second version either, I put the symphony away and turned to other works. "

It was only after composing his seventh symphony (1949) that Butting came up with the plan to deal with the failed sixth again. He finished the third version of the work, which was finally recognized as valid, in the spring of 1953. On his 65th birthday on October 6 of the same year, the composer was able to attend the world premiere by the Gotha State Symphony Orchestra under the direction of Fritz Müller. He dedicated the sixth symphony to this orchestra and its conductor.

occupation

2 flutes , piccolo , 2 oboes , English horn , 2 clarinets in Bb, alto saxophone in Eb, bass clarinet in Bb, 2 bassoons , 4 horns in F, 3 trumpets in C, 3 trombones , double bass tuba , timpani , percussion (3 tom-toms , snare drum , Bass drum , cymbals ), violins I and II, violas , cellos , double basses .

The work

The sixth is Butting's only five-movement symphony, although it should be noted that the three shorter middle movements merge directly into one another and have been combined into a larger section as Tre Intermezzi . This results in a total of three parts. The playing time of the work is approximately 30 to 35 minutes.

1st department

The first movement ( Allegro vivace e veemente ) is in sonata form and, according to the composer, bears the title “They come” (not included in the score), a reference to the advancing Red Army , which was in front of Berlin at the time of its composition . It has a stormy, forward-pushing character, which is underlined by numerous changes of meter. At the beginning of the movement the first theme, rhythmically marked by sharp dots, rises above an excited string accompaniment in the woodwinds. Two further themes are added, a reflective one and a dance one, both derived from the first. The latter occurs several times in the course of the exposure in an almost rondo-like manner. The implementation focuses less on motivic work than on contrasting juxtapositions of the material. The tempo is soon increased to Allegro tosto and finally accelerated again with poco piú mosso . The recapitulation begins in piano and changes the material of the exposition significantly. The movement finally ends powerfully in its opening key in B minor .

2nd department

In the design of the first of the three intermezzi forming the middle section of the symphony , an Allegretto molto vivace, leggiero e scherzando ( E minor , 2/4 time with strong triplets), Butting ties in with his earlier “radio music”. It is intended as a parody of the harmless light music programs broadcast on the radio during wartime. The strangely cheerful mood is only interrupted by a middle section ( D minor , 3/4 time) dominated by wistful melodies , which the alto saxophone begins.

This is followed immediately by the gloomy second intermezzo ( Andante molto sostenuto, funebre , 4/4 time), which forms the central pivot of the work. The mood is comparable to a requiem . After the outcry at the beginning, the chords of the trumpets and trombones lead to a cor anglais melody derived from that beginning, which then runs through various instruments. The movement in D minor is quietly closed by horns and strings.

The contrast to the third intermezzo ( Allegro ma non troppo, ballabile , 4/4 or 2/2 time) could hardly be greater. Here the direction taken in the first intermezzo is reinforced, because this movement is a tango that is based on the model of popular hits at the time . It is to be understood as an image of the time that portrays the longing for pleasure in the German population suffering from the war.

3rd department

With “Sie sind da”, Butting characterized the finale ( Allegro assai ) based on the first movement . The basic mood of this movement is also restless, and again there is often a change of meter. However, an attempt is now being made to achieve an orderly state. The form is freely composed. Starting out from a pianissimo triplet movement in the strings, polyphonic ascents begin several times. A coda, broadened in tempo, finally forms the triumphant conclusion in B flat major .

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