A Colour Symphony
Arthur Bliss
Work background
Researched classical background
Bliss organized A Colour Symphony into four movements named Purple, Red, Blue and Green, drawing on the symbolic associations of heraldic colours. Written for the Three Choirs Festival, the work uses orchestral colour and contrasting motion to differentiate those ideas. A substantial fugal component in the final movement gives the sequence a strongly worked-out musical conclusion.
Inspiration and creative background
Heraldic colour symbolism supplied the movement sequence and expressive associations.
Paul Serotsky programme note: Bliss A Colour Symphony
Heraldic colour associations and movement design | Reviewed 2026-10-19
A listening guide
Compare the rhythmic attack of Red with the more sustained orchestral writing in Blue.
Listening suggestions are editorial guides to the music.
Forces: Orchestra
Composition: 1922
Original composition 1922; the score was later revised.
This entry describes the musical work or cycle. Composition, premiere and publication dates describe different events. Performers and recordings can be explored through the external listening search.
Also known as: Colour Symphony
Arthur Bliss Society: short biography
1922 Three Choirs Festival commission for A Colour Symphony | Reviewed 2026-10-19
Paul Serotsky programme note: Bliss A Colour Symphony
Heraldic colour associations and movement design | Reviewed 2026-10-19
Sources for this work
Arthur Bliss Society: short biography
1922 Three Choirs Festival commission for A Colour Symphony | Reviewed 2026-10-19
Paul Serotsky programme note: Bliss A Colour Symphony
Heraldic colour associations and movement design | Reviewed 2026-10-19
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