Symphony In Yellow for Violin Cello and Piano by Britta Byström (2002). Programme Note Leggiero Dolce Energico Symphony in Yellow for Piano Trio is structured as a “miniature symphony” in three movements. The slow middle movement is surrounded by two faster ones. The title is taken from a poem by Oscar Wilde in which various images that are all characterized by something yellow float by: a yellow bus yellow hay yellow leaves… During the composition of the work I searched for a certain mood or color of sound something “yellow” that shouldremain unchanged while different musical events in the work’s structure took place. I perceived my challenge to be akin to an artist painting different subjects using only one color. Britta Byström Oscar Wilde: Symphony in Yellow An omnibus across the bridge Crawls like a yellow butterfly And here and there a passer-by Shows like a little restless midge. Bib barges full of yellow hay Are moored against the shadowy wharf And like yellow silken scarf The thick fog hangs along the quay. The yellow leaves begin to fade And flutter from the Temple elms And at my feet the pale green Thames Lies like a rod of rippled jade.
