Symphony No. 3, Op. 75 (1955) is
Ernst Toch's (1887—1964) third of seven
symphonies
A symphony is an extended musical composition in Western classical music, most often for orchestra. Although the term has had many meanings from its origins in the ancient Greek era, by the late 18th century the word had taken on the meaning com ...
. He was awarded the 1956
Pulitzer Prize for Music for the piece. Premiered December 2, 1955 by the
Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra conducted by William Steinberg, it was commissioned by the American Jewish Tercentenary Committee of Chicago.
[Elizabeth A. Brennan, Elizabeth C. Clarage (1999). ''Who's Who of Pulitzer Prize Winners'', p.427. .]
The orchestration includes a "hisser", a carbon dioxide storage tank, tank that makes a hissing noise, whose use is optional.
His first three symphonies were inspired by his need to flee Nazi Germany and move to America.
Selecting the piece the jury wrote: "one of his finest works, of sure craftsmanship, contemporary in feeling, without self-conscious striving for the new and the original, beautiful and brilliant in orchestral sound."
[Heinz-D Fischer, Erika J. Fischer (2003). ''Complete Historical Handbook of the Pulitzer Prize System 1917-2000'', p.265. .]
Sources
External links
Toch Symphonies, ''MusicWeb-International.com''.
Compositions by Ernst Toch
1955 compositions
20th-century symphonies, Toch 03
Pulitzer Prize for Music-winning works
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