The symphony functions both as a traditional symphony and as a concerto for orchestra. Zwilich described her approach in the score program notes, remarking, "The entire work treats the orchestra like a huge chamber ensemble, in which each player or section can be a brilliant soloist one moment and a sensitive partner the next."[1]
The symphony has a performance duration of approximately 24 minutes and is cast in four movements:
- Prologue
- Celebration
- Memorial
- Epilogue
The first movement "Prologue" introduces several themes used throughout the remainder of the symphony. The second movement "Celebration," the composer notes, was written "in celebration of the vibrant energy" of the Juilliard Symphony. The third movement "Memorial" was written "in remembrance of composers whose voices were silenced by tyranny."[1]
The work is scored for a large orchestra comprising piccolo, two flutes, two oboes, English horn, two clarinets, bass clarinet, two bassoons, contrabassoon, four horns, three trumpets, trombone, bass trombone, tuba, timpani, four percussionists, and strings.[1]
