Arnold Bax was a well-to-do Englishman who had a passionate love of things Irish. In fact, during the first couple of decades of the 20th century he published poetry under the pen name "Dermot O'Byrne," widely assumed to be by a true Irishman. Bax's music is also passionate and romantic, with a free spirit and brilliant, colorful orchestration. This symphony was written mainly at Bax's remote house in Morar, Inverness in 1934. It was dedicated to the conductor Adrian Boult who gave its first performance, in Queen's Hall, London, on November 21, 1935.

The symphony is in three movements. The first movement, (Moderato; Allegro con fuoco) is in a very clear application of the traditional sonata form, with a slow introduction. Although the movement proper is in C Major/minor, with a second subject in E flat Major (a pretty standard key relationship) the introduction is in the distant key of c# minor. The introduction is dark and brooding, like a chant, with an ominous ostinato figure on trombones. In the Allegro section the first subject is dance-like, and the second, given to the three flutes, is gentle but with an underlying tension. The development mostly works out the first subject. At one point the music slips again into c# minor. The restatement of the second subject emphasizes the dramatic nature of the music by giving the second subject to the three trombones.

The second movement (Lento, molto espressivo) is lyrical and gentle in mood. After a short, atmospheric introduction, the movement proper begins with a 30-measure string theme. After this is repeated with fuller orchestration, the second subject is given to the solo trumpet, one of the more affecting solo parts for this instrument. The theme is characterized by the use of a "Scotch snap" (the accented "SHORT-long" rhythm often found in Scots music), which might relate to the movement having been written in Scotland. The movement becomes a spectral march shortly before the ending.

The third movement is a very innovative structure. At nineteen minutes, it equals the length of the rest of the symphony. It combines the functions of a traditional scherzo and trio with that of a finale. A main idea, found in the opening clarinet solo dominates the movement. The music speeds up into a scherzo; the trio is more gentle. When the Scherzo returns it contains a quotation from Sibelius's tone poem "Tapiola." It all builds to an exceptionally powerful climax. The last section of the movement bears one of Bax's favorite titles, "Epilogue" in which the main material relaxes and forms a sense of resolution and peace.



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