Henri Rabaud, Symphony No. 1 in D minor (1893)

[Ilja]

I just wanted to draw your attention to member ProMusician's rendering of Henri Rabaud's first symphony of 1893, written when he was 19 years of age. It's an interesting work, clearly not as mature as his second (written six years later) but already hinting at the grand lyric gestures that characterize that work.

[Mark Thomas]

Thanks, Ilja. It's an extraordinarily accomplished piece of juvenilia, and a fascinating listen. Three of the movements are compact and move along at a sprightly pace, nothing (not even the 12 minute-long slow movement) outstays its welcome, the material is memorable, well-developed and inventive. Some of the transitions are a bit clumsy, and the finale is too abrupt, harming the work's balance, but generally it's an impressive Op.1.