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Goepp, Philip H., 1864-1936

"Symphonies and Their Meaning; Third Series, Modern Symphonies"

But it passes, sinking away before a new phase,--a bucolic
[Music: _Poco piu mosso_
(Oboe)
(Clar'ts & horns)
(Strings)]
fantasy of trilling shepherd's reed (in changed, even pace), supported
by strumming strings. The sacred calm and later passion have yielded to
a dolorous plaint, like the dirge of the Magyar plains. Suddenly the
former fervor returns with strains of the second melody amidst urging
motion (in the triple pace) and startling rushes of harp-strings. At the
height, trumpets blare forth the first melody, transformed from its
earlier softness, while the second presses on in higher wood and
strings; the trombones relieve the trumpets, with a still larger chorus
in the romantic song; in final exaltation, the basses of brass and
strings sound the first melody, while the second still courses in treble
voices.
Of a sudden, after a lull, falls again the tinkle of sacred chimes, with
a verse each of the two main melodies.
The Scherzo begins with a Saltarello humor, as of airy faun, with a
skipping theme ever accompanied by a lower running phrase and a prancing
trip of
[Music: _Allegro con leggerezza, ben sostenuto_
(Cl.)
(_Pizz._ strings)
(Bassoon)]
strings, with a refrain, too, of chirruping woodwind. Later the skipping
phrase gains a melodic cadence. But the main mood is a revel of gambols
and pranks of rhythm and harmony on the first phase.
In the middle is a sudden shift of major tone and intimate humor, to a
slower pace.


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