Symphony No. 2 in B-flat major
Albert Roussel
Work background
Researched classical background
Roussel's Second Symphony emerged after the First World War as a three-movement orchestral work. A scherzo originally considered for the symphony became the separate Pour une fete de printemps. The surviving design is consequently different from the familiar four-movement sequence. Contrasting tempos and densely combined orchestral lines create changes of motion within each of its larger sections.
A listening guide
Follow the changes of pace within movements, rather than expecting a separate scherzo.
Listening suggestions are editorial guides to the music.
Forces: Orchestra
Composition: 1919-1921
Composed 1919-21; the separate spring-festival work should not be counted as a fourth movement.
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.
Naxos: Roussel Second Symphony
Op.23, three-movement structure and postwar compositional context | Reviewed 2026-10-19
IMSLP: Roussel Second Symphony score
1919-21 composition, B-flat major and Op.23 | Reviewed 2026-10-19
Chandos: Roussel Second Symphony
Pour une fete de printemps originally considered as symphonic scherzo | Reviewed 2026-10-19
Sources for this work
Naxos: Roussel Second Symphony
Op.23, three-movement structure and postwar compositional context | Reviewed 2026-10-19
IMSLP: Roussel Second Symphony score
1919-21 composition, B-flat major and Op.23 | Reviewed 2026-10-19
Chandos: Roussel Second Symphony
Pour une fete de printemps originally considered as symphonic scherzo | Reviewed 2026-10-19
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