After some posts in the "Blown away" thread, I'm revisiting the Seventh Symphony, and I have some observations:
1. Is the first movement a rare example of a symphony opening with a Scherzo? It certainly feels light and dancey for a lot of its duration.
2. With each listen, I realize more and more just how gorgeous the slow movement is.
1. Interesting point. The fact that it’s in quick triple time (most likely 3/8 or 6/8, I haven’t seen the score) probably contributes to this, and I agree about its balletic nature. Of course, it certainly carries the requisite weight, argument, and drama of a truly symphonic opening movement.
2. And yes, when the music “blossoms” halfway through the slow movement with the tune in the celli, it’s certainly a glorious moment! Lloyd does a similar thing in the slow movement of the 4th Symphony where the music eventually “opens up” gloriously after a rather austere opening.
