Uploaded August 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
Albany Symphony Orchestra conducted by George Lloyd.
I - Introduction & Variations: Introduction. Tranquillo - Poco meno lento - Variation I. Comodo - Variation II. Grazioso - Variation III. Grave - Variation IV. Vivo (0:00) - Adagio (15:00) - Allegro (27:00)
Lloyd's Symphony No.12 was composed in 1989, being commissioned by the Albany Symphony Orchestra. It was premiered at the Troy Music Hall in Troy, New York, performed by the aforementioned orchestra conducted by the composer. Circa 1980, Lloyd revisited his early first three symphonies (written between 1932-3) with ambivalent feelings. He initially contemplated destroying them, but thankfully decided not to because it would require renumbering all his later ones. After revising the first, Lloyd was inspired by its formal structure, a single movement based on the variation principle, to model his last symphony after the first one.
After over twenty years of neglect, Lloyd's music was rediscovered by the public at large after a 1977 BBC broadcast performance of his Symphony No.8. The composer tonal postromanticism, which was deemed a regressive by the English musical establishment, was appreciated by the public. In addition to the BBC, Lloyd found a steadfast champion in the form of the Albany (New York) Symphony Orchestra, which played his music and commissioned more, and in the Albany Record Company, one of America's more enterprising high-quality compact disc labels. This symphony was both commissioned by that orchestra and recorded and released by that label.
The first section is structured as a theme and variations. It begins with a wistful motive on violins, which is the root of a lyrical and ambiguous main theme shared between strings and woodwinds. After a virtuosic clarinet solo transition, the instruments introduces a lyrical and cantabile second theme, with murmuring strings and harp accompaniment. This graceful melody is passed to flute and violins, continually varied and imbued with new orchestral colouring. The main theme is briefly recapitulated in a varied way. The first variation is pastoral in nature, with florid ornamentation of woodwinds. The of colourful orchestration. After a brief climax, the third variation opens with dissonant chords, followed by a funereal transformation of the main theme. The final variation is festive and animated, with prominent use of tambourine, xylophone and marimba leading to a vigorous climax. A brief pause leads to the next part.
The second section is an adagio in form of an arch. It opens with reminiscences of the second theme from the previous part, which unfolds into a deeply lyrical way between low and upper strings. Follows a serene passage dominated by strings, the music becoming more expressive and emotional. A contrasting, more melancholic passage leads us to a passionate and sustained climax. The main theme of the previous part returns in a dramatic and dissonant conclusion to this climax. After a diminuendo, the adagio ends with a serene and evocative coda, before the finale suddenly springs forth.
The third section is an allegro in a modified sonata form. It begins with reminiscences of the rhythmic opening motive of the symphony, contrasted by gentle melodic phrases. Follows an intricate fugato development of the motive. A march-like idea is also introduced by the brass, which is soon developed in another impetuous fugato, growing in a crescendo to an imperious and agitated climax. The scoring is highly imaginative, bringing the extensive percussion into play. A contrasting and florid transition leads to a varied recapitulation of the themes, culminating in a contrapuntal climax in which the material is cleverly combined. Another seismic conclusion to rival that of its predecessor is shrewdly avoided, and a quiet lento coda is substituted, its texture coloured by the unearthly sounds of celesta and harp.
Picture: Three paintings by Greek painter Hero Kanakakis.
Musical analysis partially written by myself. Sources: tinyurl.com/26sy7ec7 and tinyurl.com/2af9zwup
Unfortunately, the score isn't freely available.
Albany Symphony Orchestra conducted by George Lloyd.
I - Introduction & Variations: Introduction. Tranquillo - Poco meno lento - Variation I. Comodo - Variation II. Grazioso - Variation III. Grave - Variation IV. Vivo (0:00) - Adagio (15:00) - Allegro (27:00)
Lloyd's Symphony No.12 was composed in 1989, being commissioned by the Albany Symphony Orchestra. It was premiered at the Troy Music Hall in Troy, New York, performed by the aforementioned orchestra conducted by the composer. Circa 1980, Lloyd revisited his early first three symphonies (written between 1932-3) with ambivalent feelings. He initially contemplated destroying them, but thankfully decided not to because it would require renumbering all his later ones. After revising the first, Lloyd was inspired by its formal structure, a single movement based on the variation principle, to model his last symphony after the first one.
After over twenty years of neglect, Lloyd's music was rediscovered by the public at large after a 1977 BBC broadcast performance of his Symphony No.8. The composer tonal postromanticism, which was deemed a regressive by the English musical establishment, was appreciated by the public. In addition to the BBC, Lloyd found a steadfast champion in the form of the Albany (New York) Symphony Orchestra, which played his music and commissioned more, and in the Albany Record Company, one of America's more enterprising high-quality compact disc labels. This symphony was both commissioned by that orchestra and recorded and released by that label.
The first section is structured as a theme and variations. It begins with a wistful motive on violins, which is the root of a lyrical and ambiguous main theme shared between strings and woodwinds. After a virtuosic clarinet solo transition, the instruments introduces a lyrical and cantabile second theme, with murmuring strings and harp accompaniment. This graceful melody is passed to flute and violins, continually varied and imbued with new orchestral colouring. The main theme is briefly recapitulated in a varied way. The first variation is pastoral in nature, with florid ornamentation of woodwinds. The of colourful orchestration. After a brief climax, the third variation opens with dissonant chords, followed by a funereal transformation of the main theme. The final variation is festive and animated, with prominent use of tambourine, xylophone and marimba leading to a vigorous climax. A brief pause leads to the next part.
The second section is an adagio in form of an arch. It opens with reminiscences of the second theme from the previous part, which unfolds into a deeply lyrical way between low and upper strings. Follows a serene passage dominated by strings, the music becoming more expressive and emotional. A contrasting, more melancholic passage leads us to a passionate and sustained climax. The main theme of the previous part returns in a dramatic and dissonant conclusion to this climax. After a diminuendo, the adagio ends with a serene and evocative coda, before the finale suddenly springs forth.
The third section is an allegro in a modified sonata form. It begins with reminiscences of the rhythmic opening motive of the symphony, contrasted by gentle melodic phrases. Follows an intricate fugato development of the motive. A march-like idea is also introduced by the brass, which is soon developed in another impetuous fugato, growing in a crescendo to an imperious and agitated climax. The scoring is highly imaginative, bringing the extensive percussion into play. A contrasting and florid transition leads to a varied recapitulation of the themes, culminating in a contrapuntal climax in which the material is cleverly combined. Another seismic conclusion to rival that of its predecessor is shrewdly avoided, and a quiet lento coda is substituted, its texture coloured by the unearthly sounds of celesta and harp.
Picture: Three paintings by Greek painter Hero Kanakakis.
Musical analysis partially written by myself. Sources: tinyurl.com/26sy7ec7 and tinyurl.com/2af9zwup
Unfortunately, the score isn't freely available.
