Symphony No. 9

Symphony No. 9, LRC285, is an outgrowth of an early work, Clarinet Quartet, LRC141a. The work begins with a slow lyrical introduction followed by a fast movement. The outer sections of the latter are based on canonic imitation with a middle folk-like tune. The entire work is based on thematic material stated at the beginning of the piece. Several works have been written with material from the Clarinet Quartet, all inspired by Botticelli's painting "La Primavera", which the composer studied as a violinist in one of his visits to Florence, Italy. The material for these works is based on figures made of consecutive intervals of thirds. One of the composer's best compositions is his Music for Two Clarinets and Piano, LRC151b, which serves here as the third movement of the symphony. The lyrical sections manifest the Greek heritage of the composer.