Symphony No. 8 (Sessions)
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The Symphony No. 8 of Roger Sessions was composed in 1968.[1][2]
It is a work in two movements lasting together about 14 minutes:[1]
- Adagio e mesto
- Allegro con brio
Noteworthy in the context of Sessions' symphonies is the use of maracas to accompany the theme in the first movement.[citation needed] Andrea Olmstead describes all of Sessions's symphonies as "serious" and "funereal", with No. 8 being one of four with, "quiet reflective endings."[3] No. 8 combines the, "fearsome rhythmic and harmonic densities," of his maturity, "with the extended melodic phrases," which were always characteristic of Sessions.[4]
The symphony was premiered on May 2, 1968, by the New York Philharmonic conducted by William Steinberg.[1]
The symphony is scored for a large orchestra consisting of three flutes (third doubling alto flute), three oboes, four clarinets (fourth doubling E♭ clarinet), four bassoons (fourth doubling contrabassoon), four horns, three trumpets, four trombones, tuba, timpani, two percussionists, piano, harp, and strings.[5]
