Henri Dutilleux: Symphony Nos.1 & 2 (1993)

Dutilleux belongs to that rare breed of composers whose music is both harmonically and rhythmically rich but with a twist that cannot easily be foreseen in advance, although this may not always be clearly realized. Dutilleux has never been a prolific writer of symphonies. Premiered more than 40 years ago by the composer, Dutilleux's only two symphonies are emotionally charged with apocalyptic brass writing that is reminiscent of William Schuman with a touch of Stravinsky and Messiaen thrown in the mix. The more intimate string and solo wind writing in the second symphony appear with variant treatment in each of the three movements leading up to the symphonic cohesion (hence Double) with the two competing forces interacting through distorted images of each other. In this recording, Yan Pascal Tortelier gives an outstanding performance, as he usually does when it comes to Dutilleux.

Tracklist

Symphony No. 1 (30:51)

I Passacaille. Andante
II Scherzo. Molto vivace
III Intermezzo. Lento
IV Finale, con variazioni. Largamente - Allegro - Scherzo - Lento

Symphony No. 2: "Le Double" (28:49)

I Animato, ma misterioso
II Andantino sostenuto
III Allegro fuocoso - Calmato

BBC Philharmonic
Yan Pascal Tortelier

Chandos Records: CHAN 9194