Copland: Symphony No. 3 / Walker: Sinfonia No. 5 ‘Visions’ – Antonio Pappano

Aaron Copland’s Third Symphony is a vast and beautiful work depicting sprawling landscapes, forceful intensity, and the power of human resilience. Composed in the final days of World War II, it channels the spirit of a nation looking toward brighter horizons. The final movement features the composer’s inspirational ‘Fanfare for the Common Man’, culminating in a triumphant finale of hope for the future.

George Walker’s Sinfonia No 5, “Visions”, was the composer’s final work and stands as a protest against racial violence. Written as a tribute to the victims of the 2015 Charleston church shooting, this unrelentingly modernist piece is suffused with anger. Despite its restless energy and jagged harmonies, the music encourages reflection and captures Walker’s richly communicative musical language and groundbreaking legacy.

Chief Conductor Sir Antonio Pappano and the London Symphony Orchestra bring two American masterworks to life in this new recording from LSO Live. Pappano brings out the rich colours and emotional depths of Copland’s Symphony No 3 and Walker’s Sinfonia No 5, celebrating the indomitable spirit of the music and the enduring legacy of these pivotal composers.