Mennin Symphony no 3

 Day 125

Peter Mennin Symphony no 3

New York Philharmonic Orchestra

Dimitri Mitropoulos

Peter Mennin is one of those many mid 20th century American composers who combined composition with an academic career - In Mennin’s case this included a long period as president of the Juliard School of music. He wrote nine symphonies though the first two were withdrawn (he later allowed performances of the second). This symphony dates from 1946 and was in fact his PhD composition. It seems to have had an immediate impact and was widely performed - this recording dates from as early as 1955.  I thought that it was an impressive work. It was not recognisably American at all but clearly has its roots in the European symphonic tradition. As I have noted several times in this series, Hindemith is clearly an influence but there are also hints of Vaughan Williams and Sibelius. The last movement has very strong overtones of Walton’s first symphony. 

The first and last movement have real energy and a symphonic drive which compelled attention. The middle movement was lyrical with just enough astringency to ensure that it did not become banal - something that not all of the American symphonies I have listed to in the project managed to avoid. I couldn’t find a score to follow the music but I found I didn’t need one to retain my concentration  - unlike some of the other symphonies I listened to recently where without a score to keep my attention. I’d certainly be up for listening to some more of Mennin’s music.