Azusa Pacific University Symphony Orchestra Christopher Russell, conductor I. Moderato (0:00) II. Adagio (11:12) III. Allegro (24:57) Recorded November 10, 2018 at the Haugh Performing Arts Center in Glendora, CA Walter Piston was born in Rockland, Maine in 1894 and died in Belmont, Massachusetts in 1976. Piston taught at Harvard University where his students included Leonard Bernstein and Elliott Carter. He wrote four books on theoretical aspects of music that are considered classics in their genre. Piston composed eight symphonies, five string quartets, numerous concertos, the ballet "The Incredible Flutist", and many other works. Piston has written the following about his Symphony No. 2: The first movement (moderato) is based on two themes, one given out at the opening of the movement by violas and cellos, legato and flowing, the other first played by the oboe, accompanied by clarinets and bassoons, staccato and rhythmic. The first of these themes receives the principal development, and the movement ends with a canonic statement of the melody by the brass choir, pianissimo. The second movement (adagio) is a quiet, lyrical development of the motive announced at the beginning by the bassoon, and the melody played by the clarinet, accompanied by muted strings. The movement is continuous rather than sectional in form. The Finale, (allegro) is composed of three themes: the first vigorous and rhythmic, played by cellos and horns; the second march-like, by clarinets and bassoons; and the third, of more songful character, first heard in English horn and clarinet. See more performances by the APU Symphony on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/APUSymphony/videos?view=0&flow=grid&sort=p Like the APU Symphony on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/apusymphony To learn more about the Azusa Pacific University School of Music: http://www.apu.edu/cma/music/