Adrian Williams: Symphony No. 1 & Chamber Concerto: Portraits of Ned Kelly

Featuring

Kenneth Woods
English Symphony Orchestra
Adrian Williams

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Composition History

Adrian Williams' Chamber Concerto: Portraits of Ned Kelly is a musical response to the famous paintings by his friend, Australian painter Sidney Nolan, depicting the life of bushranger Ned Kelly.

Composer's Artistic Vision

The third movement of Adrian Williams' Symphony No. 1 was inspired by the harrowing images of the Australian wildfires, serving as an extended lament or memorial.

Performer Biography

Kenneth Woods, the conductor, is the Artistic Director and Principal Conductor of the English Symphony Orchestra and also serves as Artistic Director of the Colorado MahlerFest and The Elgar Festival.

Composition History

Adrian Williams' Symphony No. 1 began in spring 2018 at the request of Kenneth Woods for the English Symphony Orchestra's 21st Century Symphony Project.

Composer Biography

Adrian Williams, hailed by Yehudi Menuhin as 'a master of intricate patterns and forms,' began improvising on the piano at age four and later studied composition with Lennox Berkeley.

Recording & Production

The English Symphony Orchestra, led by Kenneth Woods, launched its 21st Century Symphony Project in 2016, commissioning, premiering, and recording nine new symphonies by leading composers.

Compositional Technique

The first movement of Adrian Williams' Symphony No. 1 is based on two main themes, with the first three notes (E flat-F-C) appearing many times throughout the entire symphony.