Symphony No. 3 (Toch)

Symphony No. 3, Op. 75 (1955) is Ernst Toch's (1887—1964) third of seven symphonies. He was awarded the 1956 Pulitzer Prize for Music for the piece.[1] Premiered December 2, 1955 by the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra conducted by William Steinberg, it was commissioned by the American Jewish Tercentenary Committee of Chicago.[2][3]

The orchestration includes a "hisser", a carbon dioxide tank that makes a hissing noise, whose use is optional.[3] His first three symphonies were inspired by his need to flee Nazi Germany and move to America.[3]

Selecting the piece the jury wrote: "one of his finest works, of sure craftsmanship, contemporary in feeling, without self-conscious striving for the new and the original, beautiful and brilliant in orchestral sound."[4]

  1. ^ "1956", Pulitzer.org.
  2. ^ Fischer, Heinz Dietrich (2010). The Pulitzer Prize Winners for Music, p.61. ISBN 9783631596081.
  3. ^ a b c Elizabeth A. Brennan, Elizabeth C. Clarage (1999). Who's Who of Pulitzer Prize Winners, p.427. ISBN 9781573561112.
  4. ^ Heinz-D Fischer, Erika J. Fischer (2003). Complete Historical Handbook of the Pulitzer Prize System 1917-2000, p.265. ISBN 9783110939125.