Symphony No. 1, Op. 18
Suite for Orchestra, Op. 46
Variations for Small Orchestra, Op. 14

When you consider that the "symphony", over the last 100 years or so, has been frowned upon as being old hat and irrelevant, it's surprising how many astounding and iconic symphonic works have seen the light of day over that time, and it's also very reassuring to know that some composers still consider it to be the paramount form of musical logic and expression. Richard Wagner was way off the mark when, in 1849, he declared the form exhausted. New Zealand born composer who now lives in Canada, John Robertson (b.1943) has written many works in most genres that include 3 symphonies thus far.

His Symphony No. 1, Op. 18 opens, à la Shostakovich, with a sombre and foreboding 5-note motif in the cellos and basses, framed by menacing horns and a desolate clarinet, which sets the tone for the whole work as that key motto theme returns many times under different guises. Many fugual and contrapuntal elements comprise the middle development section of the first movement, which lead the music in many different directions and multiple levels of activity. The main motif returns, albeit with a distinctly different outlook, to open the second movement and fully blossoms throughout as an ardent expression of longing and aspiration. There's a noticeably beautiful harmonic bridging passage between the 4 and 5 minute mark. The whole movement sounds neo-romantic with a slight whiff of today's tendency to cinematic adornment. The jaunty, out of character demeanor of the final movement eventually gives way to a remarkable transition back to the main impetus of this symphony, and this is where John Robertson truly reveals his "symphonist" credentials. He wraps up the whole package with a ribbon by reintroducing and combining the mournful clarinet and menacing horns from the start, but this time infusing the main motif with a luminescent glow, capping the whole work with distinctive resolution.

This is music of our time yet steeped in tradition that should be a guiding light forward.