A Colour Symphony - Analysis

Analysis

The four movements are:

  • "Purple, the colour of Amethysts, Pageantry, Royalty and Death"
    • Andante maestoso: slow in pace and ceremonial in character
  • "Red, the colour of Rubies, Wine, Revelry, Furnaces, Courage and Magic"
    • Allegro vivace: a glittering, spiky and percussive scherzo, reminiscent of Stravinsky. A theme from towards the end was used as the signature tune of the televised "Royal Institution Christmas Lectures".
  • "Blue, the colour of Sapphires, Deep Water, Skies, Loyalty and Melancholy"
    • Gently flowing: slow, with chords used to depict the lapping of water against a moored boat or a pier
  • "Green, the colour of Emeralds, Hope, Youth, Joy, Spring and Victory"
    • Moderato: a double fugue (which has been described as "Schoenbergian") on violas, strings, clarinets and woodwinds, leading to a triumphant climax

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