By:

• John Rimmer

Duration:

25' 00"

Instrumentation:

222(1)2; 2220; timp, 4perc, hp, pf; strs. Perc: snare drum, tambourine, 3 tom toms, 2 bongos, large and small suspended cymbals, maracas, claves and xylophone

Samples

Score (247k)

Pages 1-8

© John Rimmer

Availability

• This work has 5 scores

Programme Note

In many ways Symphony (1968) which was composed in Toronto while I was studying with John Weinzweig, encapsulates what I wanted to achieve stylistically as a composer in this and in subsequent works.

I was interested in exploring a high degree of subtlety in tone colours and dramatic contrasts in rhythm and texture.

I wanted to achieve a string characterisation in the music by contrasting melodic, soloistic writing and contrapuntally inspired textures both fuelled by a lyrical impulse. In addition I wanted to lead my listeners through the delightful complexity of a sonic maze by the repetitions and extensions of clearly defined musical ideas.

These aspects can be heard in the Finale in the contrast between angular, jagged full orchestra textures and the soloist and ensemble sections. The percussion instruments are particularly prominent in this movement and the final climax features several percussive rhythmic layers.

Difficulty:

Advanced

Performance History

	13 Feb 2001	Performed in a rehearsed reading by the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra conducted by Kenneth Young as part of the NZSO-SOUNZ Readings Third Movement, Manifesto, from Symphony (1968)
		Kenneth Young    New Zealand Symphony Orchestra
	03 May 2010	Performed as part of the 18th NZSO-SOUNZ Readings by the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra and conducted by Tecwyn Evans at the Wellington Town Hall, in Wellington Finale movement only
		New Zealand Symphony Orchestra    Tecwyn Evans

Awards

• NZSO-SOUNZ Readings (2001)
  

  Manifesto from Symphony 1968 was performed at the NZSO-SOUNZ Readings in February 2001

• NZSO-SOUNZ Readings (2010)
  

  Finale from Symphony (1968) by John Rimmer was performed at the NZSO-SOUNZ Readings in May 2010.