Eighth Symphony Op. 148

In 2013 I had the pleasure of coming to Wangen im Allgau and meeting with Tobias Zinser, the conductor of the Stadtkapelle Wangen, and Mayor Michael Lang. We talked about the assignment to write a large composition for the city's 1200th anniversary in 2015. At that time Tobias Zinser told me that he would like "a symphony - similar to Brahms." I am truly not Johannes Brahms and I would never presume to put myself on a par with him. But of course I was happy to compose a symphony for this special historical celebration of the city of Wangen - traditionally in four movements:

I. Andante - ma non troppo

The first movement in A minor is in the classic sonata form, consisting of Exposition, Development, Recapitulation and Coda. The whole movement seems rather dark and dramatic, with an extended development and a rather unobstrusive ending.

II. Scherzo

The second movement is in D major, has significantly more modern harmonies (polyharmonic) and places the percussion register in the foreground. It is striking that there are no instruments that sound deeper than trombones and bassoons. This gives the sentence a very light, transparent appearance.

III. Romanza

I composed the third movement in song form in F minor. It is very reminiscent of a romantic symphony with traditional harmonies and very rich instrumentation, but I have also given it some "typical American" harmonic expressions.

IV. Finale

The finale in B flat major is a fast-moving, concluding movement in a modified sonata form. It literally bristles with radiant fanfares and driving rhythms. The expanded development is followed by a dramatic recapitulation that eventually leads to a lively Vivace Coda.

I hope you enjoy my "Eighth Symphony" – the "Symphony for Wangen".

Yours

James Barnes