Although completed in 1956, George Rochberg's Symphony No. 2 is considered a wartime work, reflecting his experiences and anguish from World War II.
Recording & Production
The Saarbrücken Radio Symphony Orchestra, featured on this album, received a Grammy nomination in 2004 for their recording of George Rochberg's Symphony No. 5.
Compositional Technique
George Rochberg's Symphony No. 2 is the first twelve-tone symphony composed by an American, where he organized rows based on hexachords to create 'tonal loci' similar to traditional keys.
Notable Performances
George Rochberg's Symphony No. 2 was premiered by George Szell and the Cleveland Orchestra in 1959, and its New York performance in 1961 established Rochberg among leading composers.
Composer Biography
George Rochberg, the composer, was severely wounded at the Battle of the Bulge during World War II, spending nearly a year in recovery.
Composer's Artistic Vision
George Rochberg developed a highly personal expressive style he later called 'hard romanticism,' characterized by being impassioned yet hard-edged, discursive yet rigorous.
Composition History
George Rochberg's Imago Mundi was inspired by a three-week visit to Japan in 1973, leading to a series of four related works exploring ways of perceiving the world.
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