Jakob Adolf Hägg (1850−1928)
Orkesterstykke i 4 satser [B-dur] (Orchestral piece in 4 movements (in B-flat major)
1. Allegro
2. Moderato
3. Andante con moto
4. Allegro
- Year of composition: 1904-1905
- Work category: Orchestral works in several movements
- Duration: Approx. 15-20 min
Instrumentation
Score is missing, but according to notes in the manuscripts Hägg considered a large orchestra with trombones, probably including
2.2.2.2 / 4.2.3.0 / timp / str
- Location autograph: Musik- och teaterbiblioteket
Description of work
1. Allegro B-flat major 2/4 353 bars
2. Moderato E-flat major 3/4 69 bars
3. Andante con moto G minor 6/8 43 bars in one manuscript, 73 bars according to another
4. Allegro B-flat major 2/4 283 bars
In one manuscript movements nos. 2 and 3 are placed in reverse order, and in another the tempo of movement no. 4 is Vivace
Work comment
In a letter dated Copenhagen 25 October, 1870, Hägg mentions that as he walked along the Langelinie promenade, he was dreaming of a symphony in B-flat major. There is a manuscript titled 'Motiver till en Sinfonia' [Motifs for a Symphony] with sketches for all movements. However, the complete work does not seem to have been finalised until 1904-05, when Hägg was staying in Norway. Nor does it seem to have been orchestrated. There is only one completely manuscript, a version set for piano four hands, where the work is humbly called 'Orkesterstykke i 4 satser' [Orchestral piece in 4 movements]. It is possible that Hägg considered the complete work being of too a minor format to be labelled 'a symphony'.