Symphony No. 8 (Penderecki) - Movements

Movements

1. “Nachts” (By Night)- Poem by Joseph von Eichendorff. The first movement begins quietly with strings and woodwinds and builds up as the mezzo and mixed chorus enter.
2. “Ende des Herbstes” (End of Autumn) (Stanza 1)- Poem by Rainer Maria Rilke. The second movement describes the inevitability and danger of change. The orchestra and vocals become more ominous and forceful then die away as the movement reaches its conclusion.
3. “Bei einer Linde” (By a Lime-Tree)- Poem by Joseph von Eichendorff. The text depicting the passing of spring is sung by the baritone soloist. The movement comes to a close with an oboe solo.
4. “Flieder” (Lilac)- Poem by Karl Kraus. The fourth movement is noticeably faster paced than the preceding movements. Again, this movement features the baritone. The text reflects on a blooming lilac and the splendor of existence.
5. “Frühlingsnacht” (Spring Night)- Poem by Herman Hesse. The fifth movement begins quietly as it builds to an English horn solo. The baritone is again featured. The text depicts a night scene in which the speaker observes trees prior to falling asleep.
6. “Ende des Herbstes” (End of Autumn) (Stanza 2)- Poem by Rainer Maria Rilke- The sixth movement is predominantly choral until the orchestra takes over shortly before the end. The text describes how all gardens must eventually perish for the winter.
7. “Sag’ ich’s euch, geliebte Bäume?” (Do I Tell You, Beloved Trees?)- Poem by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe. The seventh movement is the first movement to feature the soprano. The movement changes mood often, most noticeably when the choir enters. The end of this movement is noticeably more climactic than the previous movements.
8. “Im Nebel” (In the Mist)- Poem by Herman Hesse. The eighth movement begins with the upper parts of the chorus. The soprano remains the soloist. The movement ends with the full mixed chorus. The text is a reflection on isolation.
9. “Vergänglichkeit” (Transience)- Poem by Herman Hesse. The movement opens with the soprano and strings. The orchestra and chorus build to a climactic middle section and quickly fade. The movement builds heavily again towards the end of the movement only to quickly die away once again. This building up and dying away is reflected in the text, which reflects on how the thriving can quickly expire due to the rigors of the world.
10. “Ende des Herbstes” (End of Autumn) (Stanza 3)- Poem by Rainer Maria Rilke. The tenth movement begins with the chorus than gradually builds up to a climax. The conclusion of the movement features a bass trumpet solo.
11. “Herbsttag” (Autumn Day)- Poem by Rainer Maria Rilke. The baritone soloist is featured again in the eleventh movement. The text describes decay brought about by autumn. The descending lines in the strings illustrate this decay.
12. “O grüner Baum des Lebens” (O Green Tree of Life)- Poem by Achim von Arnim. The twelfth movement is the longest in the piece. All of the vocal soloists are featured. The movement builds to multiple high points before reaching its true climax towards the end. The climax soon dissipates and the chorus is left ascending in pitch as the piece diminishes into a silent conclusion.