Symphony no 2

for orchestra

Peter Thompson

	There are a number of highly refreshing things about this wonderful work: For one thing, here is a composer firmly set in the “English tradition” of symphonic writing who IS actually composing symphonies (which in recent times have become “unfashionable” to compose). There again, and bucking the contemporary trend, writes music that has real contrast and holds the attention. How refreshing, therefore, to listen to a piece of such varied tempo and not predominantly slow (a malaise that afflicts many present day composers). Here is a composer with something to say but, and of equal importance, something to say that people will want to hear!
	—Mark Andrews, YouTube

Sample pages

(Click to enlarge)


	Composer	Title	Forces	Total duration
	Peter Thompson	(Play complete work)Symphony no 2 for orchestra	Orchestra	27½ mins
#	Composer	Movement	Forces	Duration
1	Peter Thompson	`I`: Allegro moderato – Vivace – Tempo I – Andante – Lento – Tempo I – Vivace – Tempo I – Vivace – Andante – Vivace	Orchestra	7½ mins
2		`II`: Andante sostenuto		7 mins
3		`III`: Vivace – Molto largo – Vivace – Molto largo – Vivace		4½ mins
4		`IV`: Adagio – Allegro – Molto allegro – Molto più lento, amabile – Adagio – Allegro – Molto allegro – Più lento – Allegro – Allargando		8¼ mins

Recorded performance

In the absence of a live recording of this piece, the Sibelius NotePerformer Orchestra, conducted by John Meccanico, has obliged to give you an idea of how it sounds

Video

This video is based on exactly the same audio recording as presented above; it merely adds imagery and an introduction to the existing sound.

Catalogue code: FM153 • Published: 2008
Entry last updated: 25th February 2023

	The language is very attractive without being banal, the piano writing very rewarding and the music really good.
	—Piano