Douglas Lilburn (1915-2001) : Symphony No. 1 (1949)

[@maxmerry8470]

I can only assume the NZSO have Lilburn's wonderful music in their blood because this is one helluva performance by them! I listened to the 2nd an hour or so ago and decided to give the 1st another listen shortly afterwards. I think I still hold the 2nd in higher regard....but only by a hairs's breadth! And once again, I find myself paying less and less attention to whatever echoes of Sibelius I might hear. This is Lilburn, no-one else, constructing something very personal but also profound in a more universal way. The Andante, for instance, is beautifully structured in such a way as to suggest something being created or moulded which then takes its leave and is gone. The euphoric final movement does contain some long lines a la Sibelius's 7th but is also graceful, or delicate, in some of the writing...I even detect moments that remind me of Vaughan Williams. Superb piece of symphonic writing!

[@Etturawiri]

I adore this symphony. Lilburn wrote to me just before he died and explained how he heard the opening fanfare while sitting on the Port Hills overlooking New Zealand's second city, Christchurch where he spent many creative years writing some of his most wonderful music.

[@maxmerry8470]

Despite obvious cultural differences, I always think of Lilburn together with Arthur Butterworth and, to some extent, John Kinsella, as all three were clearly influenced by Sibelius. At the same time they have their own, individual voices. I bought the Naxos issues of Lilburn's orchestral works several years ago and have returned to them frequently. These uploaded performances I haven't heard before so thank you!