Movements within symphonies have been inspired by everything from
adventure on the high seas, to
the joy of being in nature, to
hiking in the mountains and even
temperaments of personality. In 1922, English composer Arthur Bliss read a book on heraldry and learned that colors had symbolic associations. Inspired, Bliss composed “A Colour Symphony,” but expressing his own impressions of the colors Purple, Red, Blue and Green.
It’s today’s Midday Masterpiece at 2:00 pm as we celebrate the birthday today of Arthur Bliss (born 1891).Bliss described the movements:
Purple:
Andante maestosoThe colour of Amethysts, Pageantry, Royalty and Death.
Red:
Allegro vivaceThe colour of Rubies, Wine, Revelry, Furnaces, Courage and Magic.
Blue:
Gently flowing The colour of Sapphires, Deep Water, Skies, Loyalty and Melancholy.
Green:
Moderato The colour of Emeralds, Hope, Youth, Joy, Spring and Victory.