Basel Radio Symphony Orchestra conducted by Alun Francis.
I - Avec mystère et violence: 0:00
II - Avec sérénité et nonchalence: 5:28
III - Avec emportement: 12:58
IV - Rapide et majestueux: 17:29
Milhaud's Symphony No.8 was composed in 1957, being commissioned by the University of California for the inauguration of a new concert hall. At this point in his life, Milhaud's previous symphonies were not very well received. Perhaps wanting to find a new approach, Milhaud found an emotional and programmatic thread to provide a frame and an inspiration for this work.
As the subtitle indicates, the piece is heavily inspired in the course of the Rhone river. This river is born from the glaziers of the Swiss Alps, flowing southwest through Lake Geneva and southeast France before discharging into the Mediterranean Sea. Influenced by Smetana's symphonic poem "Moldau", each movement depicts a part of the river. Also, as seen in the previous symphony onwards, the slow movement is the true core of the work. While nominally in the key of D major, Milhaud's use of polytonality and expanded harmonic approach significantly blurs this tonal centre.
The first movement is structured as a modified sonata form. It begins with a mysterious but violent main theme (as the tempo marks indicate us), employing string harmonics and angular figures. It depicts the source of the Rhone river: the Rhone glacial in the Swiss alps. A more lyrical second theme, highly contrasting in nature, is then introduced by the wood. The mystery reflects the mists and the broken melodies of the waterfalls. These almost antagonic elements are the root of an unusual development or continuous interplay, capped by sudden outbursts. We find no recapitulation, instead the music suddenly vanishes after a violin solo.
The second movement is written in form of an arch. It opens with a lyrical main theme introduced by violin, as a continuation of the previous coda. It is soon taken by woodwinds that begin to linearly develop it. It depicts the calm of the river's water in Lake Geneva in Switzerland, not being pictorial in nature but an expression of feelings alla Beethoven's Pastoral Symphony. The previous angular and dissonant elements here largely disapear. The music grows more expressive and expansive in the middle part, followed by a return to the opening calm and a full recapitulation of the theme. A peaceful coda ends the movement.
The third movement is a scherzo in ternary form. It begins with a tumultuous and agitated main theme, full of energy and forward momentum. It represents the great, wild riverbed of the river. The trio section begins with a more melodic variation of the theme on violins, supported by flowing woodwind figures. The scherzo is then continued with its impetuous drive, before an explosive coda ends the movement.
The fourth movement is written in sonata form. It opens with a colourful and animated main theme, reminiscent of the music from the Provençe. It is contrasted by a more languid second theme. This music aims to represent the last stage of the river in its course to the Mediterranean Sea, through the Camargue region. The following development takes a more folkloric air, becoming a Camargue-like dance. The themes are then recapitulated, leading us to a busy climax. A brilliantly contrapuntal coda ends the work in a radiant peak.
Picture: "Starry Night over the Rhône river" (1887-8) by the Dutch painter Vincent van Gogh.
Musical analysis mostly written by myself. Source: tinyurl.com/2auk5wz5
Unfortunately the score is not freely available.
4 июл 2024
