Search - George Lloyd, Albany Symphony Orchestra :: Symphony #4 " The Arctic"

Dramaitc and evocative

Benjamin | UK | 09/25/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"George Lloyd's fourth symphony is inspired by the Arctic; the composer wrote on the title page ". . . a world of darkness, storms, strange colours and far-away peacefulness". The fourth symphony is Lloyd's vision formulated into music.

The opening movement is dark, often tense, turbulent and dramatic. The second movement is calm and peaceful, beginning in a rather mysterious mood but gradually a broad gentle melody emerges. The scherzo that follows is light, sparkling and becoming ever more peaceful before returning to its opening theme; it is played without the brass section. The last movement, after a slow introduction breaks into a series of confident and triumphal very English quick march like tunes culminating in a bold broad sweeping march melody.

A colourful and dramatic work; if the composer's merit had to be assessed on one piece this would surely be the one. It is beautifully played by the Albany Symphony Orchestra conducted by George Lloyd.



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