Symphony No. 5 (Aquero)

By Malcolm Williamson

During his lifetime, Australian composer Malcolm Williamson (1931-2003) wrote seven numbered symphonies (plus many unnumbered others) of startling variety. His Symphony No. 5 "Aquerò" (literally “that thing�!) was completed in 1980 to a commission from the Brent Youth Symphony Orchestra. That Williamson wrote a major symphony for a youth...

orchestra is testament to his keen involvement with music-making in young people. The symphony itself (a drama on a vision of Saint Bernadette) is a rich melting pot of musical ideas which develop and transform over the course of 25-minutes. The music is mostly of a meditative nature, and the unusual time signature of 5/8 remains constant throughout. Overall, this cogent and beautiful symphony makes for enjoyable and rewarding listening. The score is clearly laid-out and well printed, however the absence of a programme note is puzzling. Well worth a look!