Symphony No. 1 (Lutosławski)

Polish composer Witold Lutosławski wrote his Symphony No. 1 in 1941–47, completing it in 1947.[1]

Structure

The symphony, lasting 25 minutes, is in four movements. The first, Allegro giusto, is a sonata allegro. The second is marked Poco adagio, while the third (Allegretto misterioso) is a scherzo whose opening theme is based on a twelve-note tone-row. The final movement is marked Allegro vivace.[2]

Instrumentation

Woodwinds 2 piccolos flute 2 oboes English horn 3 clarinets, 2nd doubling on piccolo clarinet in E♭ 2 bassoons contrabassoon Brass 4 horns in F 3 trumpets in C 2 trombones tuba

Percussion timpani drum cymbals xylophone Keyboards piano Strings harp violins I and II violas cellos double basses

Analysis

"Witold Lutosławski: Symphony No. 1"

Orchestration

World Premiere

The Grand Symphony Orchestra of the Polish Radio (WOSPR) performed its world premiere (conducted by Grzegorz Fitelberg, to whom it was dedicated) in Katowice on April 1, 1948.[1]

References

1. Culture.pl. "Witold Lutosławski, "Symphony No. 1"". Culture.pl. Archived from the original on 2013-04-16. Retrieved 2010-06-03.
2. "8.554283 – LUTOSLAWSKI: Symphony No. 1 / Chantefleurs et Chantefables". Retrieved 2012-01-13.