Sessions: Symphony No. 3; Lees: Concerto for String Quartet and Orchestra
Liner Notes   Cat. No. NWCRL451     Release Date: 2011-03-15

Royal Philharmonic Orchestra; Igor Buketoff, Conductor; John Ronayne, violin; Geoffrey Grey, violin; Frederick Riddle, viola; Norman Jones, cello

Roger Sessions' Third Symphony, commissioned in celebration of the 75th anniversary of the Boston Symphony Orchestra by the Koussevitzky Music Foundation, was composed between 1955 and 1957, and is dedicated to the memory of Serge and Natalie Koussevitzky. It was first performed on December 6, 1957, by the Boston Symphony under Charles Munch. For that occasion Sessions wrote an article about the Symphony, portions of which are reproduced here with the kind permission of the composer.

“My Third Symphony is larger in conception and scale than the First and does not contain the sharp and even violent contrasts of the Second. In saying this I am simply noting a difference in character, not implying a fundamental change of artistic direction. I regard this symphony as belonging very definitely among a series of works which began with my Second String Quartet (1951). It contains new elements, however, even with respect to these works...

Benjamin Lees writes:

“The Concerto for String Quartet and Orchestra was commissioned by the Kansas City Philharmonic and given its premiere in 1965, with the participation of the Paganini String Quartet. The composer treats the solo quartet almost entirely as one unit, rather than four separate solo instruments.


This title, originally issued on the CRI label, is now available as a burn-on-demand CD (CD-R) or download in MP3/320, FLAC or WAV formats. CD-Rs come in a protective sleeve; no print booklet or jewel case included. Liner notes are accessible via the link above.

Royal Philharmonic Orchestra

Sessions: Symphony No. 3; Lees: Concerto for String Quartet and Orchestra

MP3/320 $7.99
FLAC $7.99
WAV $7.99
CD-R $7.99
CD-Rs come in a protective sleeve; no print material or jewel case included.
A *.pdf of the notes may be accessed here free of charge.
   Liner Notes



Track Listing

Symphony No. 3: I. Allegro gracioso e con fuoco
Roger Sessions
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Symphony No. 3: II. Allegro, un poco ruvido
Roger Sessions
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Symphony No. 3: III. Andante sostenuto e con affetto
Roger Sessions
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Symphony No. 3: IV. Allegro con fuoco
Roger Sessions
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Concerto for String Quartet and Orchestra: I. Allegro con brio
Benjamin Lees
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Concerto for String Quartet and Orchestra: II. Andante cantando
Benjamin Lees
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Concerto for String Quartet and Orchestra: III. Allegro energico
Benjamin Lees
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