Uploaded February 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
Romanian Radio and Television Symphony Orchestra conducted by Iosif Conta.
I - Allegro deciso - Pochissimo meno mosso - Tempo I (Allegro deciso) - Pochissimo meno mosso - Tempo I ma tranquillo - Tranquillo: 0:00
II - Andante cantabile - Maestoso - Tempo I: 8:18
III - Scherzo. Presto - Andantino - Presto: 12:06
IV - Allegro ma non troppo - Meno mosso - Tempo I - Tempo I e maestoso - Più allegro: 20:11
Jora's Symphony in C major was composed in 1937, while the composer was working as a professor at the Bucharest Conservatoire, as well as a conductor of the Romanian Radio National Orchestra. It was premiered on that year, performed by the Bucharest Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by George Enescu. Divided in four movements that employ largely traditional forms, the work can be described as romantic in language and nationalistic in nature. It features melodies inspired by Romanian folksongs.
The first movement is structured in sonata form. It begins with clarinets and bassoon introducing a folkish melody, which serves as the basis of a rhythmic and animated main theme in C major. A more lyrical and contemplative second theme is then introduced by bassoon, oboe and English horn. The development begins with the return of the main material before the themes are contrapuntally transformed, soon adopting a more dramatic and vigorous tone. A strong climax directly leads to the recapitulation of the material. Another vigorous climax leads us to a serene coda that ends the allegro.
The second movement is a very compact andante, almost like an intermezzo written in ternary form. It opens with a melancholic main theme in G minor, presented by English horn soon accompanied by strings. It has little chance to unfold, as an expressive second theme is introduced by strings in the central part. The music reaches a solemn climax, before the main material is recapitulated. A slow, enigmatic coda ends the andante.
The third movement is a scherzo in ternary form. It begins with a rhythmic and lively main theme in A minor, presented by muted strings. The trio section offers contrast with a widely lyrical and cantabile second theme on woods and strings, full of a folkloric flavour. A solemn and romantic climax is then reached on full orchestra. The main material is then recapitulated, before the scherzo ends with an ascending gesture and a timpani blow.
The fourth movement is structured as a sonata-rondo. It opens with a broad and expressive main theme in C major, folkloric in nature and presented by strings before woods join in. After a short-lived climax, woodwinds introduce a more lyrical and nocturnal second theme. The ensuing development transforms the material, before a wilful and determined third theme appears, leading to a climax on the main theme. A solemn coda ends the symphony with a determined C major chord.
Picture: "Composition with Romanian Motifs" (1924) by Romanian painter Ion Theodorescu-Sion.
Musical analysis written by myself. Source: tinyurl.com/23hjpqfq
To check the score: tinyurl.com/22rpb5vu
Romanian Radio and Television Symphony Orchestra conducted by Iosif Conta.
I - Allegro deciso - Pochissimo meno mosso - Tempo I (Allegro deciso) - Pochissimo meno mosso - Tempo I ma tranquillo - Tranquillo: 0:00
II - Andante cantabile - Maestoso - Tempo I: 8:18
III - Scherzo. Presto - Andantino - Presto: 12:06
IV - Allegro ma non troppo - Meno mosso - Tempo I - Tempo I e maestoso - Più allegro: 20:11
Jora's Symphony in C major was composed in 1937, while the composer was working as a professor at the Bucharest Conservatoire, as well as a conductor of the Romanian Radio National Orchestra. It was premiered on that year, performed by the Bucharest Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by George Enescu. Divided in four movements that employ largely traditional forms, the work can be described as romantic in language and nationalistic in nature. It features melodies inspired by Romanian folksongs.
The first movement is structured in sonata form. It begins with clarinets and bassoon introducing a folkish melody, which serves as the basis of a rhythmic and animated main theme in C major. A more lyrical and contemplative second theme is then introduced by bassoon, oboe and English horn. The development begins with the return of the main material before the themes are contrapuntally transformed, soon adopting a more dramatic and vigorous tone. A strong climax directly leads to the recapitulation of the material. Another vigorous climax leads us to a serene coda that ends the allegro.
The second movement is a very compact andante, almost like an intermezzo written in ternary form. It opens with a melancholic main theme in G minor, presented by English horn soon accompanied by strings. It has little chance to unfold, as an expressive second theme is introduced by strings in the central part. The music reaches a solemn climax, before the main material is recapitulated. A slow, enigmatic coda ends the andante.
The third movement is a scherzo in ternary form. It begins with a rhythmic and lively main theme in A minor, presented by muted strings. The trio section offers contrast with a widely lyrical and cantabile second theme on woods and strings, full of a folkloric flavour. A solemn and romantic climax is then reached on full orchestra. The main material is then recapitulated, before the scherzo ends with an ascending gesture and a timpani blow.
The fourth movement is structured as a sonata-rondo. It opens with a broad and expressive main theme in C major, folkloric in nature and presented by strings before woods join in. After a short-lived climax, woodwinds introduce a more lyrical and nocturnal second theme. The ensuing development transforms the material, before a wilful and determined third theme appears, leading to a climax on the main theme. A solemn coda ends the symphony with a determined C major chord.
Picture: "Composition with Romanian Motifs" (1924) by Romanian painter Ion Theodorescu-Sion.
Musical analysis written by myself. Source: tinyurl.com/23hjpqfq
To check the score: tinyurl.com/22rpb5vu
