Orchestral Music Depicting Nature

Beethoven "Pastoral Symphony" in F major, Op.68.

1.Joyous sensations roused by arrival in the country. Allegro ma non troppo.

2.Scene by the brook. Andante molto mosso.

3.Merry gathering of peasants. Allegro.

4.Thunderstorm. Allegro

5.The shepherds' singing glad and grateful feelings after the storm. Allegretto.

Strauss "An Alpine Symphony" Op.64.

1.Night

2.Sunrise

3.The Ascent

4.Entering the forest

5.Wandering by the brook

6.By the waterfall

7.Apparition

8.Flowery meadows

9.In the mountain pasture

10.On the wrong track through thickets & undergrowth

11.On the glacier

12.Precarious moments

13.On the summit

14.Vision

15.Rising mists

16.The sun gradually dims

17.Elegy

18.Calm before the storm

19.Thunderstorm. Descent

20.Sunset

21.Epilogue

22.Night

Ralph Vaughn Williams "Sinfonia Antartica"

Though this composer's Third Symphony was called "Pastoral", it was based on his first world war experiences in France & could be called his "War Requiem". It was unique in that all four movements were slow.

However, his seventh, called "Sinfonia Antartica" depicted nature at the South Pole. It had female chorus, solo soprano, piano & organ.

1. Prelude Andante Maestoso. Prefaced by Shelley's Prometheus Unbound.

2.⁠ ⁠Scherzo Moderato. Psalm 104, dealing with deep sea & whales.

3.⁠ ⁠Landscape Lento S.T.Coleridge hymns.

4.⁠ ⁠Intermezzo Andante Sostenuto Quote from John Donne.

5.⁠ ⁠Epilogue Alla Marcia Moderato Prefaced by tragic final entry from Cap.Scott's diary.