Upon hearing the name of Paul Dukas, many people immediately think about his delightful composition The Sorcerer’s Apprentice, which many know from Disney’s movie Fantasia. Dukas wrote more than that however, and sadly his Symphony in C is oft overlooked.

In Dukas’ time (1865 – 1935), French composers weren’t exactly in a rush to write symphonies. They were more known for chamber music, songs, piano works and operas, but not much in the way of pure symphonic work. Arguably one of the best known would be Franck’s Symphony in D minor, and like Franck, Dukas made his symphony three movements, instead of the usual four. Unlike the Franck, there’s no single motif that ties the work together.

The first movement, Allegro non troppo vivace, ma con fuoco has three themes: an excited first theme in C major, a lyrical theme in A minor, and a fanfare theme in F major. After a quiet return of the first theme, the development clearly moves toward the recapitulation of the three themes, the first two in C major, the third in F major. The coda begins peacefully, and then grows to a grand climax.

The central Andante espressivo e sostenuto also has three themes: an expansive first theme in E minor, a gentle second theme in E major, and a lyrical third theme that works through many modulations back to the first two themes' recapitulation.

The final movement, Allegro spiritoso is a rondo with two sections: an energetic rondo theme followed by a chromatic episode and a tranquil, more lyrical episode. After the third statement of the rondo theme, Dukas combines all three themes in a Presto coda that takes the movement and the symphony comes to a jubilant finish.

Sadly this exuberant symphony isn’t performed very often. Thankfully there are recordings of it to enjoy!

Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra
Orchestre de la Suisse Romande
Orchestre National de France