America's answer to Alban Berg. Very sophisticated atonal counterpoint, both complex, a little bit hermetic, but loaden with expression; not easy to listen to at the first try, but rewarding with a promise of becoming more and more accessable with every listening, unveiling its treasures and beauties which there are plenty of! There are some really delicate and intricate orchestral structures and some deeply felt emotional moments (listen to the third movement Pastorale!). This music deserves thorough and concentrated attention.

I had the pleasure of working with Sessions in Boston in 1976. What a fascinating man and what emotionally charged, frequently beautiful music he wrote! Love this symphony, also the Rhapsody for Orch. And Montezuma is amazing. Thanks for this post.

Thank you for posting

Roger Sessions along with Aaron Copland, set up concerts for American Composers to have their works performed....from 1928-1931 in New York with one in Paris. One can only imagine the vast diversity of the music performed.

Jeez the orchestra is trying their best and get the music across but I wish there was another performance of this. I feel like there's a lot more to tease out of this score.

W post