Symphony no. 2 : a comprehensive analysis

The symphony has long been considered the paramount compositional achievement since its birth in the eighteenth century, and continues to be a common tool for freedom of artistic expression among composers. Symphony No. 2 is a continuation of my exploration of more complex motivic and harmonic relationships within a freely unfolding musical structure. Continuous from start to finish, it is divided into three symbiotically dependent sections, similar to movements but without a pause in-between. The first section is slow and serves primarily as a prologue with pastoral undertones, introducing many of the primary motives that glue the work together. The second section is the heart of the work and features two energetic and contrasting theme groups. The music dies down into the third section, which restates ideas from the first section and slowly builds toward a climax. The music again eases and transitions into a short fast coda. Recapitulated elements from the second section bring the symphony to a resounding close. The entire work is constructed from two primary melodic motives that develop and transform into more complex phrases and theme groups as the piece progresses. I will include musical influences behind the creative process of the symphony, which led me to integrate common-practice traditions with modernism in hopes of creating a highly-personalized style.