Symphony No. 2 (Milhaud)
Encyclopedia
The Symphony No. 2, op. 247, is a work for orchestra by French composer Darius Milhaud
. It was written in the U.S. in 1944 on a commission from the Koussevitzky Music Foundations in memory of Serge Koussevitzky
's second wife Natalie, who had died in 1942. The premiere of the work was played by the Boston Symphony Orchestra
in 1946, with the composer himself conducting.
Milhaud's Second Symphony is in five movements, with a total running time of about 27 minutes. The titles of the movements, which are more character descriptions than tempo markings, are as follows:
This symphony (not to be confused with Milhaud's 1918 Chamber Symphony No. 2 "Pastorale," op. 49) is published by Heugel & Cie. Recordings of this symphony currently available include:
Darius Milhaud
Darius Milhaud was a French composer and teacher. He was a member of Les Six—also known as The Group of Six—and one of the most prolific composers of the 20th century. His compositions are influenced by jazz and make use of polytonality...
. It was written in the U.S. in 1944 on a commission from the Koussevitzky Music Foundations in memory of Serge Koussevitzky
Serge Koussevitzky
Serge Koussevitzky , was a Russian-born Jewish conductor, composer and double-bassist, known for his long tenure as music director of the Boston Symphony Orchestra from 1924 to 1949.-Early career:...
's second wife Natalie, who had died in 1942. The premiere of the work was played by the Boston Symphony Orchestra
Boston Symphony Orchestra
The Boston Symphony Orchestra is an orchestra based in Boston, Massachusetts. It is one of the five American orchestras commonly referred to as the "Big Five". Founded in 1881, the BSO plays most of its concerts at Boston's Symphony Hall and in the summer performs at the Tanglewood Music Center...
in 1946, with the composer himself conducting.
Milhaud's Second Symphony is in five movements, with a total running time of about 27 minutes. The titles of the movements, which are more character descriptions than tempo markings, are as follows:
- Paisible (approx. 5'40")
- Mystérieux (approx. 5'25")
- Douloureux (approx. 8'25")
- Avec Sérénité (approx. 3'15")
- Allelouia (approx. 4'10")
This symphony (not to be confused with Milhaud's 1918 Chamber Symphony No. 2 "Pastorale," op. 49) is published by Heugel & Cie. Recordings of this symphony currently available include:
- a 1991 all-digital recording by Michel PlassonMichel PlassonMichel Plasson is a French conductor.Plasson was a student of Lazare Lévy at the Conservatoire de Paris. In 1962, he was a prize-winner at the International Besançon Competition for Young Conductors. He studied briefly in the United States, including time with Charles Münch...
and the Tolouse Capitole OrchestraOrchestre national du Capitole de ToulouseThe Orchestre national du Capitole de Toulouse is a French orchestra based in Toulouse. It acts as both a symphony orchestra whose main residence is Toulouse's Halle aux Grains, and the permanent orchestra of the Théâtre du Capitole in Toulouse....
, on Deutsche GrammophonDeutsche GrammophonDeutsche Grammophon is a German classical record label which was the foundation of the future corporation to be known as PolyGram. It is now part of Universal Music Group since its acquisition and absorption of PolyGram in 1999, and it is also UMG's oldest active label... - a 1997 all-digital recording by Alun FrancisAlun FrancisAlun Francis is a Welsh conductor.-Professional career:Francis was the principal conductor of the Ulster Orchestra from 1966 for ten years...
and the Radio-Sinfonieorchester BaselSinfonieorchester BaselThe Sinfonieorchester Basel is a Swiss orchestra based in Basel. The orchestra performs symphony concerts at the Musiksaal, Basel. The orchestra also serves as the opera orchestra and ballet orchestra for the Theater Basel...
, part of a boxed set of Milhaud's Symphonies No. 1-12 on CPO