Uploaded September 2026 | Updated September 2026, 4 days ago
The Philadelphia Orchestra, cond. Eugene Ormandy
William Schuman (1910-1992) was a notable American composer of the 20th century, also known for serving as president of the Juilliard School and of Lincoln Center. See also my score video of Schuman's third symphony: youtube.com/watch?v=By4D_Nc1Gr0
Schuman wrote his sixth symphony in 1948, not long after the devastation of World War II, and its mood befits the times, as can also be found in Honegger's third symphony, Vaughan Williams' sixth, and countless Soviet symphonies from this period. While the clear formal structures, sharp attacks of sound, and overall horizontal development characteristic of Schuman's style are present in many parts of this one-movement work, they are used to a completely different end than in his third symphony, but one no less compelling. While leaving audiences unimpressed at its 1949 premiere, Schuman's sixth symphony has been increasingly praised in reviews of concerts by major American orchestras, on which this work is very occasionally represented.
The Philadelphia Orchestra, cond. Eugene Ormandy
William Schuman (1910-1992) was a notable American composer of the 20th century, also known for serving as president of the Juilliard School and of Lincoln Center. See also my score video of Schuman's third symphony: youtube.com/watch?v=By4D_Nc1Gr0
Schuman wrote his sixth symphony in 1948, not long after the devastation of World War II, and its mood befits the times, as can also be found in Honegger's third symphony, Vaughan Williams' sixth, and countless Soviet symphonies from this period. While the clear formal structures, sharp attacks of sound, and overall horizontal development characteristic of Schuman's style are present in many parts of this one-movement work, they are used to a completely different end than in his third symphony, but one no less compelling. While leaving audiences unimpressed at its 1949 premiere, Schuman's sixth symphony has been increasingly praised in reviews of concerts by major American orchestras, on which this work is very occasionally represented.
