Randall Thompson: Symphony No. 1 (Study Score in 4k)

Randall Thompson (1899-1984) was quite a popular American composer in the 1940s and 1950s. Best known for his choral music, he also wrote three symphonies, the second of which is probably the best remembered. This first symphony was dedicated to Howard Hanson.
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Quoting album liner notes from Lance Nixon:
I wonder if this is not the most modern of Thompson's symphonies, even though he wrote it first. I find it "visual" in an abstract way - not that the music suggests any visual associations, but it is as though the notes themselves are performing a formal dance, starting and stopping at intervals, with percussive leaps - it "surges, hobbles and halts in its progress," an early reviewer wrote. Yet there is a planned progress about it, for all its stops and starts. I find this a very dancey sort of work (a trait of the No. 2 as well). In fact I wonder if Thompson's symphonies might not be better described as "symphonic dances". The rhythm can be almost unsettling, but I don't find it jarring.
There's a nice sense of balance despite the fitful motion of this three-movement symphony. The first and third movements are more than 11 minutes and 12 minutes long, respectively, and they enclose an adagio not quite 7 minutes long.
A high point for me is in first three minutes or so of the adagio, which suggests to me the music of Edmund Rubbra.
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[@moorisee9653]

I met and interviewed Dr. Thompson when I was in grad school. We was delightful, although in his twilight years. He was very gracious to me as a young composer with big dreams. He told me the back stories of many of his works which gave me a perspective that music connects our hearts to the things of life. I have composed now for 40 plus years with the sense that he laid a foundation for me in my approach to my approach to the creation of music. Thank you for sharing this recording. I was only familiar with his choral work.

[@daviddas]

Beautiful to hear. If you'd like to chat about your experiences with Thompson (if you remember enough of the details), I'd love to hear them. There are a few other unique Thompson videos on my channel so feel free to check them out.