Symphony No.1 - David Diamond

Seattle Symphony Orchestra conducted by Gerard Schwarz.

I - Allegro moderato con energia: 0:00
II - Andante maestoso: 7:07
III - Maestoso - Adagio - Allegro vivo: 15:35

Diamond's Symphony No.1 was composed between 1940-1, being premiered in December 21 of 1941, performed by the New York Philharmonic-Symphony Society conducted by Dimitri Mitropoulos. It was written shortly after Diamond’s return to America from his tutelage under Nadia Boulanger, showcasing the confidence of a young man, full of muscular energy with heavy scoring for the orchestra.

The first movement is structured in a modified sonata form. It opens with a vigorous three-note motive, the basis of a rhythmic and lively main theme exposed by oboe and violins. It is soon developed along with the opening motive. A lyrical second theme, also based on said motive, is introduced by trumpet and developed by strings. Follows the actual development section, short but very dynamic. The recapitulation brings back the main themes. An energetic coda, based on the motive, ends the work.

The second movement is written in ternary form. It begins with a broad, lyrical theme presented by strings, enhanced by woodwinds solos as it unfolds. The opening motive is also present here, but in a more subtle manner. The middle section brings little contrast however, featuring woodwinds exchanges over the strings. The main theme is recapitulated, leading us to a calm if sombre coda.

The third movement is structured as a rondo (Introduction-A-B-C-A'-B'-A''). It opens with the three-note motive transformed into a melodic theme, a kind of alleluia played by brass. It is then transformed by strings and woods, accompanied by the horn in its final part. A sudden accelerando leads us to the allegro vivo, with a vigorously rhythmic theme, containing a descending scale of 16 notes. It is followed by a more melodic second theme on strings, before a rhythmic third theme appears. The first and second themes are then recapitulated, before a lively coda based on the opening motive ends the work brilliantly.

Picture: Photograph "From Shoeshine Boy", New York (1947) made by Stanley Kubrick.

Sources: https://bit.ly/3UYH5Fa, https://bit.ly/3BYBWqj and https://bit.ly/3uRa4Aj

Unfortunately the score is not freely available.