Classical Composer: | Boyce, William |
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Work: | Symphony No. 4 in F Major, Op. 2, "Shepherd's Lottery" |
Year Composed: | 1760 |
Instrumentation: | 0 2 0 1 - 0 2 0 0 - str - cont |
Publishers: |
Universal Edition Schott Music |
Duration: | 00:07:00 |
Period: | Baroque (1600-1750) |
Work Category: | Orchestral |
Work Information
Available Recording(s)
Symphony No. 4 in F major was originally the overture to The Shepherds' Lottery, a two-act afterpiece with libretto by Moses Mendez, first staged at Drury Lane on 19th November 1751. Another pastoral, this won less popular favour than the earlier work. The lottery of the title refers to the custom by which shepherds drew the names of their respective wives from an urn on May-day. Phyllis, the ingenue shepherdess of the drama, is anxious that her name be drawn by her lover Thyrsis, while the more experienced Daphne has no time for men, using the occasion to slight the shepherd Colin, who wins the day by refusing to draw any name at all. The symphony opens with a spritely Allegro, followed by a Vivace ma non troppo, marked piano sempre, an instruction Boyce uses for other such movements. In 9/8 this movement makes bold use of the wind instruments, notably when bassoons and then horns double the violin melody. The work ends with a characteristic Gavotte.
Writer: Keith Anderson
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