Second movement
Graham Saxby
Introduction ・ Movements 1 ・ 2 ・ 3 ・ 4 and Conclusion
The second movement follows immediately. Its structure is one of continuous development by thematic metamorphosis, with the introduction of new and contrasting material at two points. The movement could, very loosely, be described as being in the form A–B–A’–C–A"–coda. However, the steady metamorphosis of the initial theme means that it is never actually repeated: only the atmosphere of the theme is present. The theme itself, on solo cor anglais, is first cousin to the flute theme which opens Debussy’s Gigues. Indeed, Brian’s approach to structure in this movement is similar to that of Debussy’s: growth from within, by continuous thematic development and metamorphosis. Other composers such as Strauss and Schoenberg also used this approach, and no doubt influenced him in this respect, though Brian’s orchestral textures are in a different world from those of any of these.
The theme is repeated on oboe, accompanied by a doleful chromatic counterpoint on second oboe, two cors anglais, two clarinets, two bass clarinets and muted cellos and violas divisi, an extraordinary and haunting sound. The atmosphere of this theme never leaves the music, though it is never heard again in the same form. Sometimes the intervals are changed; sometimes only the rhythm remains: sometimes even this is distorted. The theme appears in many guises: as a canon at varied intervals from bar 301; as a powerful melody in the ‘cellos from bar 320, and, greatly transformed, in the string accompaniment from bar 335. It makes its final appearance, fragmented but still recognizable, in the disintegration which occurs from bar 420 to the end of the movement; and its elements are present in the final valediction in the strings.
There are many original strokes in this movement, both thematic, harmonic and textural. One example is the interruption of the steady progress of the metamorphosis of the first theme, at bar 295, by a heavy-footed processional on upper woodwind, stopped horns and timpani in what is clearly a foretaste of the mood of the funeral march that forms the finale. This is swept away after only two bars, but it has made its ominous mark, like the sudden appearance and disappearance of a spectre. The first main episode breaks in at bar 314. It is a violent chromatic outburst, with thick chords in parallel movement marked “Sempre Pesante Possib[i]le (Each note hard and heavy)”.
But despite the change in melodic line, rhythm, speed, texture and dynamics, the spirit of the first theme is still palpably present. This mysterious ability to retain thematic unity throughout such thoroughgoing transformations of the material was something Brian possessed to a remarkable degree. Another interpolated episode occurs at bar 353, a jagged chordal theme on all the bass instruments. On examination this turns out to contain none other than the conclusion of the first movement in inversion: the introductory motifs from the first movement have once again emerged from the shadows, this time in disguise. (As the second movement of the symphony was composed before the first, I may be wrong about this. Nevertheless the resemblance is strong enough to seem more than coincidental.)
As before, the episode ends abruptly, and a further development, marked “ppp Teneremente” follows at bar 356. Cellos and basses play a wide-ranging melody to a glittering accompaniment of celesta and flutter-tongue flutes and harp arpeggios. There is another reminder of the beginning of the symphony (bearing in mind the above proviso concerning the order of composition of the movements), but the tranquil mood continues; and though there is yet another interpolation by the brass, this time of the opening of the second movement in thick harmony, the mood is set.
A cadenza-like passage for solo violin ushers in a langorous, chromatically-falling motif in the tenor instruments, surrounded by an evocative, shimmering accompaniment which dominates the remainder of the movement. From bar 404 the motif appears against a background of downward-rushing arpeggios from harps and woodwinds. Now the music begins to die away and disintegrate. The cor anglais dolefully picks up the fragments of its theme, and the strings (divisi) consign the movement regretfully to oblivion.
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