Uploaded July 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
BBC Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by George Lloyd.
I - Allegro con fuoco - (attacca): 0:00
II - Lento - (attacca): 7:56
III - Finale. Energico: 15:16
Lloyd's Symphony No.3 was composed in 1933, right after finishing the previous one. It was premiered on November 29 of 1935, performed by the BBC Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by the composer in a contemporary music concert. Much later circa 1980, the composer contemplated destroying his first three symphonies, but thankfully decided not to because it would require renumbering all his later ones. Like the first symphony, it is divided in multiple movements that are performed continuously.
When this symphony was written, Lloyd seemed set to become a member of an emerging generation of composers which had already elevated the slightly older William Walton to stardom and was just ready to be led by Lloyd's exact contemporary Benjamin Britten. As a serious young composer of 19, Lloyd wrote three symphonies. The third won Lloyd considerable fame when premiered, consolidating the positive impression made by the opera "Iernin" a year earlier. The promising compositional career was interrupted by war and delayed stress syndrome; a fitful restart was abandoned when Lloyd's tuneful style was sniffed at by critics as out of fashion.
The first movement is structured in sonata form. It opens with a dramatic and forceful main theme on full orchestra, with sudden and sharp dissonances. A lyrical and contemplative second theme is then introduced by low strings, almost like a melancholic dance that grows in a passionate climax. The ensuing development transforms the material in a tense and restless manner, not truly reaching resolution nor a climax. The themes are then recapitulated, culminating in a powerful and expressive climax. A melancholic transition leads us into the lento.
The second movement is written as a theme and variations. It opens with a lamenting and expressive main theme on strings, which becomes the subject of a series of variations that maintain the melancholic tone of the music. A crescendo begins with the recapitulation of the main theme in its original shape, leading to a passionate climax. A sombre diminuendo then leads to the finale.
The third movement is structured in sonata form. It begins with a vigorous and resolute main theme introduced by brilliant brass fanfares. A joyful and exuberant second theme provides contrast, followed by a third theme in form of a boisterous march. The following development starts being rhythmic and animated in tone, before a more subdued passage ensues. A crescendo leads to a varied recapitulation of the material, the music becoming more intense and vivacious, reaching a massive and radiant climax on full orchestra with which the symphony ends in a victorious blaze.
Picture: "Physical Energy" (1902) by British artist George Frederic Watts.
Musical analysis written by myself. Sources: tinyurl.com/2822rdl2 and tinyurl.com/2ymhdyba
Unfortunately, the score isn't freely available.
BBC Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by George Lloyd.
I - Allegro con fuoco - (attacca): 0:00
II - Lento - (attacca): 7:56
III - Finale. Energico: 15:16
Lloyd's Symphony No.3 was composed in 1933, right after finishing the previous one. It was premiered on November 29 of 1935, performed by the BBC Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by the composer in a contemporary music concert. Much later circa 1980, the composer contemplated destroying his first three symphonies, but thankfully decided not to because it would require renumbering all his later ones. Like the first symphony, it is divided in multiple movements that are performed continuously.
When this symphony was written, Lloyd seemed set to become a member of an emerging generation of composers which had already elevated the slightly older William Walton to stardom and was just ready to be led by Lloyd's exact contemporary Benjamin Britten. As a serious young composer of 19, Lloyd wrote three symphonies. The third won Lloyd considerable fame when premiered, consolidating the positive impression made by the opera "Iernin" a year earlier. The promising compositional career was interrupted by war and delayed stress syndrome; a fitful restart was abandoned when Lloyd's tuneful style was sniffed at by critics as out of fashion.
The first movement is structured in sonata form. It opens with a dramatic and forceful main theme on full orchestra, with sudden and sharp dissonances. A lyrical and contemplative second theme is then introduced by low strings, almost like a melancholic dance that grows in a passionate climax. The ensuing development transforms the material in a tense and restless manner, not truly reaching resolution nor a climax. The themes are then recapitulated, culminating in a powerful and expressive climax. A melancholic transition leads us into the lento.
The second movement is written as a theme and variations. It opens with a lamenting and expressive main theme on strings, which becomes the subject of a series of variations that maintain the melancholic tone of the music. A crescendo begins with the recapitulation of the main theme in its original shape, leading to a passionate climax. A sombre diminuendo then leads to the finale.
The third movement is structured in sonata form. It begins with a vigorous and resolute main theme introduced by brilliant brass fanfares. A joyful and exuberant second theme provides contrast, followed by a third theme in form of a boisterous march. The following development starts being rhythmic and animated in tone, before a more subdued passage ensues. A crescendo leads to a varied recapitulation of the material, the music becoming more intense and vivacious, reaching a massive and radiant climax on full orchestra with which the symphony ends in a victorious blaze.
Picture: "Physical Energy" (1902) by British artist George Frederic Watts.
Musical analysis written by myself. Sources: tinyurl.com/2822rdl2 and tinyurl.com/2ymhdyba
Unfortunately, the score isn't freely available.
