Hans Werner Henze - Symphony No. 2

I. Lento - Allegro
II. Allegro molto vivace
III. Adagio
The symphony was written using twelve-tone technique.
The first movement alternates large blocks of material in 3/4 and 4/4 time. Henze originally wrote five such blocks but cut the middle one before the first performance.
The second movement is fast and energetic. It begins with a seven bar introduction followed by a seven bar theme in which the bars have a metric pattern of 5/4 - 4/4 - 3/4 - 2/4 - 3/8 - 3/4 - 3/4. This theme is repeated with variations ten times (originally thirteen times but nos. 3, 4 and 5 were cut). Originally a long and more serene passage followed but this was also subject to cuts and only a 17 bar ostinato-like figure remains. The seven bar theme from the beginning of the movement reappears, this time repeated five times and with the rhythm reversed. The final section of the movement slows to an andante.
The final movement is in four sections: 1) slow and melodic, mainly for strings, 2) a march-like ostinato for the winds, 3) a second ostinato based on the B-A-C-H motif and 4) a final allegro which quotes Bach's cantata Wie schön leuchtet der Morgenstern. It concludes in a coda featuring a slowing of the tempo and finally four fortissimo chords made up of all 12 pitches of the chromatic scale.
Henze himself said that the symphony is "music for a winter's day, utterly grey and gloomy".
Performed by the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra, conducted by the composer.

[@k.t.7561]

very colorful and energetic ~

[@klangschatten5610]

Wonderful symphony, great interpretation.

[@pierreboland8910]

C'est la musique qui allait dans la direction dans laquelle on croyait à partir de la fin des années 30. Au charme de la mélodie se substituaient les couleurs orchestrales. Henze sut se libérer des préceptes de la seconde école de Vienne. Cette musique, actuellement boudée des programmes de concert, mériterait d'être vécue "live".

[@stueystuey1962]

Great symphonist and his works cover innumerable genres besides.

[@46metube]

I like the art work.

[@bernabefernandeztouceda7315]

Who the hell is the conductor

[@antoniorodrigues2216]

And the orchestra!

[@Xinjiekou_新街口_Station]

@@antoniorodrigues2216 Berlin and Henze himself was apparently conducting so you know you are getting the real deal with this one boys.