Andrew Downes - Symphony no.3 "Spirits of the Earth"

Symphony no.3 "Spirits of the Earth"

Instrumentation

For large symphony orchestra

Other Information

For large symphony orchestra - 3 flutes, 2 oboes, 3 clarinets, 2 bassoons, contra bassoon, 4 horns, 3 trumpets, 2 trombones, bass trombone, tuba, timpani, tuned percussion (crotales, 2 glockenspiels, 1 xylophone, 3 marimbas), percussion (a-go-go- bell, 3 cowbells, Chinese blocks, whip, wood block, suspended cymbal, cymbal, gong, tubular bells), drums (tom-toms; frame drums - tuned and unpitched; large bongos; side drum; bass drum; drum kit; about 6 unpitched drums; deep, hollow, pitchless drums) and strings.    

The work has 5 movements.
First performed by the Birmingham Conservatoire Symphony Orchestra conducted by Andrew Mogrelia on 1st April 1993, in a concert in aid of the NSPCC, in the Adrian Boult Hall, Birmingham. The work is dedicated to the NSPCC.

´Two triumphant premieres in three days! After Thursday´s success of his eloquent Third Symphony, Andrew Downes heard his deeply affecting St Luke Passion given on Saturday...
´Spirits of the Earth, his third Symphony, is probably the most demanding work Andrew Downes has yet written.
"It assumes virtuosity from its players, a finely honed sense of collective ensemble, and the capacity for various sections of the orchestra to play in several independent tempi.
´As the substantial five movement work moves towards its close these disparate elements come together in final reconciliation.
´The premiere it received last night from the Conservatoire Symphony Orchestra was nothing short of astonishing. Very few inaccuracies marred this virile, sensitive performance...´
THE BIRMINGHAM POST