From the cover notes (enclosed):
Symphony No.3 (1969) This work is scored for string orchestra, five percussion players, timpani, harp and piano and is cast in three movements.In it the composer has consciously attempted to paint a self portrait in which the long string lines are punctuated with jabbing percussion.Sometimes these musical effects are independent of each other, sometimes they are parallel, sometimes they are directly opposed.
The first movement opens with a slow introduction and the main body of the movement is Allegro Spirituoso, the string writing being cast in a frankly cool jazz style in his phrasing and accents.
The second movement is marked Adagio Semplice and is mainly expressive, with contrasting sections and an easily identifiable principal melody stated almost immediately in the violins.
The finale, Allegro Scherzoso, is is for the most part a pizzicato romp for the strings, , suddenly stopping and recalling the slow movement, then ending with a twenty two measure unison on the note A
The symphony was commissioned by The Manhattan School and and recieved its first performance there.
Simultaneities (1971) Is scored for brass quintet, electric guitar and percussion. It was commissioned by Max Pollikoff for his ""Music In Our Time" series, was first performed there with the composer conductiong and, later, at the Aspen Music Festival in Colorado. It is also in three movements, very similar to the symphony in over-all construction.
In the second movement the trumpet part has been written to exploit the virtuoso playing of Gerard Schwarz and includes and includes half-valve glissandi, growls, wah-wah and other exotic effects.
The third movement begins fast with a collage of well-known classical themes during which a Clyde McCoy "smack" on the trumpet can be clearly heard. The work ends slowly and quietly, with a filigree accompaniment on the celesta.
Nocturnes (1962) is a song cycle originally written for medium voice and string quartet, later arranged for voice and mixed ensemble, , still later arranged with piano accompaniment, which is the way it is recorded here.(...)
The four poems are by Robert Fitzgerald, a friend of Francis Thorne from the Italian years (see notes), and were published by New Directions in their collection of Fitzgerald's poetry entitled "In the Rose of Time" in 1956.
Since the ear cannot compensate for the eye in the matter of poetry set to music, the lyrics are printed herewith.
a1-3:Symphony No.3 (1969) Ffor Strings and Percussion
I:Allegro spiritoso
II:Adagio semplice
III:Allegro scherzoso
Prague Chamber Soloists under the direction of Jindrich Rohan
b1-3:Simultaneities (1971) for Brass Quintet, Amplified Guitar and Percussion
I:Adagio
II:Adagio introspettivo
III:Allegto vivace e scherzoso
The American Brass Quintet with Stephen Bell, guitar
Richard Fitz, percussion
b4-7:Nocturnes (1963) for Voice and Piano
I:Night song
II:Song After Campion
III:Horace I, 25
IV:Before Harvest
Catherine Rowe, Soprano
Francis Thorne,Piano
(1) or (1)
