The symphony is built around a tonal axis on A[3] and uses a technique common to many of Zwilich's compositions where the large scale work is elaborated from the initial material, "the fashioning of a musical idea that contains the 'seeds' of the work to follow,"[1] along with continuous variation[3] and, "older...principles, such as melodic and pitch recurrence and clearly defined areas of contrast."[2][4]
The entire three movements use continuous development of the material of the opening fifteen measures, which begin, "with a 'motto': three statements of a rising minor third, marked accelerando."[2][4]
(December 8, 1992) Zwilich: Symphony No. 1, Prologue & Variations, and Celebration for Orchestra. Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra, John Nelson, conductor. New World Records: NW336-2.
Sources
^ abPendle, Karin (1997). American Women Composers, p.46. ISBN9789057021459.
^ abcBriscoe, James R., ed. (1987). Historical Anthology of Music by Women, Volume 1, p.375. ISBN9780253212962.
^ abBriscoe, James R. (2004). New Historical Anthology of Music by Women, Volume 1, p.470. ISBN9780253216830.