Charles Gounod - Symphony No. 1 in D major (1854)

Charles-François Gounod (17 June 1818 – 18 October 1893), usually known as Charles Gounod, was a French composer. He wrote twelve operas, of which the most popular has always been Faust (1859); his Roméo et Juliette (1867) also remains in the international repertory. He composed a large amount of church music, many songs, and popular short pieces including his Ave Maria (an elaboration of a Bach piece), and Funeral March of a Marionette.

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Symphony No. 1 in D major (1853-54)

I. Allegro molto (0:00)
II. Allegretto moderato (6:06)
III. Scherzo. Non troppo presto (11:07)
IV. Finale. Adagio – Allegro vivace (18:01)

Gounod found it liberating to write absolute music with no staging or dramatic requierments. He added a pair of outer movements to make the work a symphony (speeding up the tempo marking of the slow movement a little bit to "Allegretto moderato"). The result is a nice symphony of classical proportions (about twenty-eight minutes), restrained emotions, good humor, and bright, clear orchestration.

*First complete performance. Movements II, III were premiered at the Salle Hertz by Paseldoup on February 4, 1855. This work was probably the model for the Bizet: Symphony in C major. Bizet arranged this work for piano duet shortly before starting work on his own first symphony.

[moltzer]

Very good. I found myself listening to the whole work.

[dragondaemonis]

This symphony is truly a gem. So lovely, fresh and full of humour, the melodies come effortlessy and the orchestration is brilliant. A wonderful display of simplicity and classical forms.

[tellmeataleE]

So much humor in this work! I've always found the basson quite a funny instrument, and I have to admit that the line at 4:08 made me chuckle :)
I also loved the fugal passage in the second movement!

[johnb]

What a lovely light hearted piece! I loved the two avoided cadences in a row in the theme of the final Allegro. A witty surprise worthy of Haydn

[filibertopierami]

Che bella questa Sinfonia. Mi ricorda, quanto a freschezza e gioia, la prima Sinfonia di Schubert.

[whatafreakinusername]

The little spot from 20:49 to 21:00 is positively splendid

[riverwildcat]

Fresh and lively. Original. I've often wondered where Bizet learned his unpretentious and brilliant style. Now it's clear.

[iggyreilly]

The young Bizet borrowed more than a few bars for his own Symphony in C!

[granthicks]

To those of us of a certain age, I'd say that Gounod is probably best known for his "Funeral March of a Marionette", which was used as the theme for the TV series "Alfred Hitchcock Presents".

[ClassicalNerd]

This symphony is one of my favorites with a very jolly and exciting feeling to it that is very different from the Beethoven like symphonies which most symphonies try to mimic at this point. This is truly Unique (Except for Bizet which was after)

[alanhowe]

Gorgeous! Who needs Mahlerian self-flagellation all the time! This is so uplifting.

[mmbmbmbmb]

For me ... Music suited for listening while eating an elaborate breakfast on New Years Day ... after a long night of celebrating "Silvester".

[granthicks]

The fourth measure from the end of the first movement contains what is probably my favorite fermata in all of classical music.

[willcwhite]

I was not expecting such a Haydnesque third movement

[mgconlan]

For a French symphony it sounds awfully German – but then again Gounod's most popular opera was based on a German dramatic poem. If I'd heard this "blind" and been asked to guess the composer, I would probably have said, "Mendelssohn."

[davemiller]

Wow! Haven't heard this in a while

[notaire]

Lebhafte und wunderschöne Interpretation dieser romantischen und perfekt komponierten Sinfonie mit gut phrasierten doch perfekt vereinigten Tönen aller Instrumente. Der letzte Satz klingt besonders schön und echt elegant. Der geniale Dirigent leitet das perfekt trainierte Orchester im inspirierenden Tempo und mit perfekt kontrollierter Dynamik. Einfach wunderbar!

[drtee]

My Lord! This sounds so . . .so . . .so FRENCH!

[AmazingStoriesUnfolded]

Who was the thief? Gounod or Bizet? They sound the same in melody.

[francisgriffith]

his musical style was very "classical" which was popular 50+ years earlier