Kris Brooks: Symphony No. 1 - 1st Movement (Nostalgic Reflections in the style of the Viennese Jugendstil)

(Excerpt 1)

Filharmonia Sudecka, Walbrzych (Poland)
Michael Holmes, conductor

A deeply spiritual "throwback" piece in the late Romantic vein, Nostalgic Reflections could pass for a long-lost masterwork of a long-forgotten composer in Vienna around 1912. In fact, this was precisely Mr. Brooks' intention to imagine himself as one of those young composers in Vienna who witnessed the end of an era - that being the Austro-German symphonic tradition which extends from J.S. Bach to Gustav Mahler - and to reflect upon it musically. While reflecting on this lineage, Nostalgic Reflections takes time to comment on music's present state (from a perspective of ca. 1912), subtly interweaving touches of Sibelius, Debussy, or even Holst. The music eventually reflects upon the end of that Austro-German lineage, during which time in Brooks' composition the tonality starts to slip away, becoming darker, even ominous, and finally chaotic. However, rays of light ultimately push through the dense harmonic cloud and the music builds to a burst of conquering sunlight, represented by a major chord (of course!). This gloriously orchestrated climactic point is followed by a peaceful, almost Wagnerian dénouement.

The way Brooks' music responds to this compositional time capsule demonstrates his mastery of a difficult medium. His seamless transitioning into reflecting upon other composers is admirable, as is his ability to blend their styles into his own musical vision without sacrificing its integrity. Yet the superficial engagement of identifying past masters as they make their appearances throughout the piece could hardly mask the deeper content being communicated to the listener. Any glimpse into a journey of the soul involving obstacles, struggles, victories, and peace, however personal, remains universal in its appeal.

Contact: brookscomposer@hotmail.com

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