Here's how it is. There is popular music and there is unpopular music. This wonderful music was posted eight months ago and has 568 views so I guess it falls into the latter category. I have to assume that dying at the young age of 51 didn't help Stephen's career. He was certainly well on his way to widespread recognition and reward but ended up in a terrible car crash. Mahler also died at 51 and his compositions spent a half century on dust laden shelves. Stephen and I were both born in 1941. I am delighted to still be here. As in all such cases one wonders what masterpieces he might have created had he survived.
The brass are nice, but at 20:15 when the strings enter my heart stops and I hear John Williams at his best! I have to wonder which parts of this were "finished" by another composer and not really composed by Albert?
I'm sorry but I disagree with the comments -I hope I won't be killed by posting my opinion. I found this symphony somewhat boring. It sounds to me like the composer saying: Hey guys. I know how to write music but I don't have anything to say.
I won't kill you, that would be stupid. However you must be listening for something that is unique and for that "special something" that you require in order to like it. I'm listening to it as a work by a young composer trying to express what he had to offer even though it does not "grab me" like a Copland or Barber work. I still like this piece very much.
