Symphony No.4 (Sinfonia Concertante)
for flute, clarinet, violin, violoncello and orchestra, Op.105 (1974)

Improvisazione, Scherzo leggiero, Duetto, Buffoneria
1(solo),2,1(solo),2; 2,0,0,0; timp; str
Duration: 40'
First published by N.Simrock, London, 1976
Available from Boosey & Hawkes: score in print (M221111142); orchestral material available on hire

First performance: Edinburgh, Jan. 1975 (David Nicholson/Philip Greene/Miles Baster/David Edwards/Reid Orchestra/Hans Gál)

Other performances (selection):

David Haslam/George MacDonald/Barry Wilde/Alan Turner/Northern Sinfonia Orchestra/Schwarz, Middlesborough, Jan. 1976; Newcastle, Jan. 1976
Städtisches Orchester, Mainz, Dec. 1977
Vienna Radio, Sep. 1978
Orchestra of the Swan/Kenneth Woods, Stratford-upon-Avon, Dec. 2011

 

Programme note by the composer:

This work is akin to a concerto grosso, combining a symphonic structure with the brilliant display and competitive spirit of four soloists who act both as a group and as individuals, emulating each other. In the first movement (Improvisatione) the main emphasis is on the confrontation of soli and tutti; the following Scherzo Leggiero is a burlesque masquerade of Harlequin and Columbina; the third movement (Duetto) puts the limelight upon the violin and cello as the protagonists, singing a duet, and the Finale (Buffoneria), a rondo with various episodes, is opened, punctuated, and in the end concluded by a kind of eayward harmonic motto." (Hans Gál)