The first of a two-part examination of recent editions of Copland's music, how they came to be, and why they matter.
Read more- Title
- Third Symphony
- For
- orchestra
- Alternate Title
- Symphony No. 3 (Alternate/Synonymous)
- Year Composed
- 1944–46
- Scoring
- 3.picc.2.corA.2.Ebcl.bcl.2.dbn-4.4.3.1-timp.perc(5):glsp/t.bells/xyl/anvil/tam-t/tgl/claves/wdbl/whip/BD/SD/TD/rattle-2harps-cel-pft-strings
- ARCO Number(s)
- 58
- Category
- Orchestral
- Duration
- 38'
- Movements
- I. Molto moderato
- II. Allegro molto
- III. Andantino quasi allegretto
- IV. Molto deliberato - (Fanfare) - Allegro risoluto
- Premiere
- World: Boston, MA, October 18th, 1946 (Boston Symphony Orchestra, cond. Serge Koussevitzky)
- Commission Info
- The Koussevitzky Music Foundation
- Dedication
- To the memory of my dear friend Natalie Koussevitzky
- Publisher
- Boosey & Hawkes
- Publishing Status
- Published
Buying Options
Boosey & HawkesExternal Links
Copland's symphonic legacy was secured with the Third Symphony. In the '40s, American composers were searching for The Great American Symphony, and Copland's big four-movement work filled the bill. Composed for Serge Koussevitzky and the Boston Symphony Orchestra, the jubilant full orchestral forces were a celebration of the end of WWII. Koussevitzky said, "There is no doubt about it — this is the greatest American symphony. It goes from the heart to the heart." The Symphony makes little or no use of folk materials, but Copland borrows from himself by incorporating his triumphant Fanfare for the Common Manin the last movement of this grand work.
- Author
- Vivian Perlis
- Year
- 1998
A new edition of this work, edited by Philip Rothman, is now available from Boosey and Hawkes. In addition to new engraving and minor corrections, this edition restores ten of the final 19 measures that were cut from the original published version.
