Symphony No. 5½ (Gillis)
Encyclopedia
The Symphony No. 5½, A Symphony for Fun, is an orchestra
l symphony
written in 1946 by American
composer Don Gillis.
Gillis, a prolific composer, had already written five symphonies when he embarked on this work's composition. He stated that he originally set out to write his sixth symphony, but found that the music emerged so light-hearted in character that rather than give the symphony a conventional number he elected to publish it as no. 5½.
The work is in four movements
, the titles being punning references to the usual forms found in corresponding movements of "serious" symphonies.
The symphony was first performed in May 1947 by the Boston Pops Orchestra
conducted by Arthur Fiedler
. Four months later, in September, the work received its first radio broadcast performance with Arturo Toscanini
conducting the NBC Symphony Orchestra
.
Orchestra
An orchestra is a sizable instrumental ensemble that contains sections of string, brass, woodwind, and percussion instruments. The term orchestra derives from the Greek ορχήστρα, the name for the area in front of an ancient Greek stage reserved for the Greek chorus...
l symphony
Symphony
A symphony is an extended musical composition in Western classical music, scored almost always for orchestra. A symphony usually contains at least one movement or episode composed according to the sonata principle...
written in 1946 by American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
composer Don Gillis.
Gillis, a prolific composer, had already written five symphonies when he embarked on this work's composition. He stated that he originally set out to write his sixth symphony, but found that the music emerged so light-hearted in character that rather than give the symphony a conventional number he elected to publish it as no. 5½.
The work is in four movements
Movement (music)
A movement is a self-contained part of a musical composition or musical form. While individual or selected movements from a composition are sometimes performed separately, a performance of the complete work requires all the movements to be performed in succession...
, the titles being punning references to the usual forms found in corresponding movements of "serious" symphonies.
- Perpetual emotion
- Spiritual?
- Scherzophrenia
- Conclusion!
The symphony was first performed in May 1947 by the Boston Pops Orchestra
Boston Pops Orchestra
The Boston Pops Orchestra is an American orchestra based in Boston, Massachusetts, that specializes in playing light classical and popular music....
conducted by Arthur Fiedler
Arthur Fiedler
Arthur Fiedler was a long-time conductor of the Boston Pops Orchestra, a symphony orchestra that specializes in popular and light classical music. With a combination of musicianship and showmanship, he made the Boston Pops one of the best-known orchestras in the country...
. Four months later, in September, the work received its first radio broadcast performance with Arturo Toscanini
Arturo Toscanini
Arturo Toscanini was an Italian conductor. One of the most acclaimed musicians of the late 19th and 20th century, he was renowned for his intensity, his perfectionism, his ear for orchestral detail and sonority, and his photographic memory...
conducting the NBC Symphony Orchestra
NBC Symphony Orchestra
The NBC Symphony Orchestra was a radio orchestra established by David Sarnoff of the National Broadcasting Company especially for conductor Arturo Toscanini...
.