Symphony no. 5 (Henze)
Encyclopedia
Symphony No. 5 by Hans Werner Henze
was written in 1962.
Scored for large orchestra, it is in three movements, the first of which quotes directly from the aria
My own, my own from Henze's opera Elegie für junge Liebende
(Elegy for Young Lovers). This melodic fragment reappears in the lyrical adagio, which takes the form of a series of slow cadenza
s for alto flute
, viola
and cor anglais
over hushed strings. The finale is 32 miniature variations on the cadenza material of the slow movement.
Henze composed the symphony for the New York Philharmonic
, which premiered the work on May 18, 1963 under Leonard Bernstein
. Although it was assumed that, if anywhere, New York was celebrated in the music, Henze later wrote that in the work
In 1965 symphony was recorded by the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra
under the composer. A broadcast of the world premiere, with Bernstein conducting, was released by the New York Philharmonic as part of a Bernstein Live set.
Hans Werner Henze
Hans Werner Henze is a German composer of prodigious output best known for "his consistent cultivation of music for the theatre throughout his life"...
was written in 1962.
Scored for large orchestra, it is in three movements, the first of which quotes directly from the aria
Aria
An aria in music was originally any expressive melody, usually, but not always, performed by a singer. The term is now used almost exclusively to describe a self-contained piece for one voice usually with orchestral accompaniment...
My own, my own from Henze's opera Elegie für junge Liebende
Elegy for Young Lovers
Elegy for Young Lovers is an opera in three acts by Hans Werner Henze to an English libretto by W. H. Auden and Chester Kallman.-Background:...
(Elegy for Young Lovers). This melodic fragment reappears in the lyrical adagio, which takes the form of a series of slow cadenza
Cadenza
In music, a cadenza is, generically, an improvised or written-out ornamental passage played or sung by a soloist or soloists, usually in a "free" rhythmic style, and often allowing for virtuosic display....
s for alto flute
Flute
The flute is a musical instrument of the woodwind family. Unlike woodwind instruments with reeds, a flute is an aerophone or reedless wind instrument that produces its sound from the flow of air across an opening...
, viola
Viola
The viola is a bowed string instrument. It is the middle voice of the violin family, between the violin and the cello.- Form :The viola is similar in material and construction to the violin. A full-size viola's body is between and longer than the body of a full-size violin , with an average...
and cor anglais
Cor anglais
The cor anglais , or English horn , is a double-reed woodwind instrument in the oboe family....
over hushed strings. The finale is 32 miniature variations on the cadenza material of the slow movement.
Henze composed the symphony for the New York Philharmonic
New York Philharmonic
The New York Philharmonic is a symphony orchestra based in New York City in the United States. It is one of the American orchestras commonly referred to as the "Big Five"...
, which premiered the work on May 18, 1963 under Leonard Bernstein
Leonard Bernstein
Leonard Bernstein August 25, 1918 – October 14, 1990) was an American conductor, composer, author, music lecturer and pianist. He was among the first conductors born and educated in the United States of America to receive worldwide acclaim...
. Although it was assumed that, if anywhere, New York was celebrated in the music, Henze later wrote that in the work
I am dealing with... dramatic portrayals of sensual conflicts and joys prompted by the sensuous happiness of 20th century RomeRomeRome is the capital of Italy and the country's largest and most populated city and comune, with over 2.7 million residents in . The city is located in the central-western portion of the Italian Peninsula, on the Tiber River within the Lazio region of Italy.Rome's history spans two and a half...
, its people, its countryside and surroundings, and even by its somewhat harder dialect in comparison to that of NaplesNaplesNaples is a city in Southern Italy, situated on the country's west coast by the Gulf of Naples. Lying between two notable volcanic regions, Mount Vesuvius and the Phlegraean Fields, it is the capital of the region of Campania and of the province of Naples...
where I previously lived.
In 1965 symphony was recorded by the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra
Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra
The Berlin Philharmonic, German: , formerly Berliner Philharmonisches Orchester , is an orchestra based in Berlin, Germany. In 2006, a group of ten European media outlets voted the Berlin Philharmonic number three on a list of "top ten European Orchestras", after the Vienna Philharmonic and the...
under the composer. A broadcast of the world premiere, with Bernstein conducting, was released by the New York Philharmonic as part of a Bernstein Live set.