The score for David Matthews’ Symphony No.5 

David Matthews’ Symphony No.5 was written for the Britten Sinfonia for the 1999 BBC Proms; the 22-minute piece is Matthews’ first use of traditional four-movement structure. The first movement opens with a dynamic brass fanfare before the rest of the orchestra build the energy and malevolence which is the overall emotion of the symphony. The following Scherzo is animated by a restless bass drum, as other parts of the orchestra vie for attention; a brooding slow movement is led by the violins. An abrupt, dynamic finale enters as an expanded coda to the preceding Adagio.

“With the crackle of colliding brass and percussion, the symphony is fully charged from the start”
The Times (Hilary Finch) 23 August 1999