Download "Symphony No.3 - Bohuslav Martinů"

BBC Symphonie Orchestra conducted by Jiří Bělohlávek I - Allegro poco moderato: 0:00 II - Largo: 9:00 III - Allegro - Andante: 18:44 The third symphony of Martinů was written during the second world war, between May 2, 1944 and June 14 of the same year. He composed it in Ridgefield, Connecticut, where he had retired with his wife Charlotte in search of the peace he could not find in the bustling city of New York. It premiered on October 12, 1944 in Boston, directed by Serge Koussevitsky, to whom he dedicated the work on his thirtieth anniversary as permanent director of the group. The first movement begins by presenting a brief motif consisting of three notes, which will serve as the basis for the formation of the movement. This motive expands and is transformed rhythmically. The bassoon presents a secondary theme. In the last part the motif of three notes is repeated as recapitulation, ending with a conclusive coda. The second movement is written in the form of a contrapuntal fantasy. In that part Martinů returns to use baroque methods. Its instrumentation reaches a great transparency, especially in its luminous passages for strings. Its development expresses a strong dramatism until it reaches its climax. The last section recovers the initial atmosphere. The third movement begins with a theme linked to the main one of the first movement, exposed in a tense atmosphere. It follows a condensed sonata form with two contrasting themes but equally full of tension. It ends with an extensive coda in the form of an andante, which occupies almost half of the movement, with worked counterpoints, giving a sense of serenity and optimism. A work written in times of war that expresses the anxiety of its author, also motivated by the feeling of longing he felt for his homeland. A work written with the heart, without being any request and that he writes as a gift to the Boston Symphony Orchestra that contributed so much to the knowledge of his work. The last movement is clearly divided into two parts. While he was writing, he received the news of the landing of the allied forces in Normandy, on June 6, 1944. This produced a change in Martinů's attitude, thinking with relief that France, his second homeland, would soon be liberated. Source: http://www.historiadelasinfonia.es/historia-2/siglo-xx/martinu/