Jennifer Vyvyan (soprano)
BBC Symphony Orchestra
(Leader, Paul Beard )
Conductor, Rudolf Schwarz
Part 1
The sixth of Darius Milhaud's seven symphonies was written two years ago, at Mills College, Oakland, California, (where he teaches) to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the Boston Symphony Orchestra. He composed it in the short space of seven weeks, from February 8 to March 30. The orchestra gave the first performance, under its conductor Charles Munch ; the symphony is dedicated to Serge Koussevitzky, who was the orchestra's conductor for many years, and his wife Natalie. It is in four movements: Calme et tendre; Tumultueux; Lent et doux, and Joyeux et robuste.