Symphony No. 1 (Brian)

Symphony No. 1
The Gothic
by Havergal Brian
Havergal Brian c. 1900
Key	D minor (nominally)
Text	Te Deum
Composed	1919–1927
Dedication	Richard Strauss
Published	1932
Publisher	Cranz & Co.
Duration	105 minutes
Movements	6
Premiere
Date	24 June 1961
Location	Central Hall Westminster, London
Conductor	Bryan Fairfax
Performers	Multiple Ensembles (see performances)

The Symphony No. 1 in D minor (The Gothic) is a symphony composed by Havergal Brian between 1919 and 1927. At around 105 minutes it is among the longest symphonies ever composed. Others include Mahler's Symphony No. 3 at 90 to 105 minutes (the only symphony of this length to be regularly performed and recorded), Sorabji's Organ Symphony No. 2 at nine hours,^[1] and Dimitrie Cuclin's unperformed Symphony No. 12 at about six hours. Along with choral symphonies such as Beethoven's Ninth Symphony or Mahler's Eighth Symphony, it is one of a few works attempting to use the musically gigantic to address the spiritual concerns of humanity. Beginning in D minor and closing in E major, the work is an example of progressive tonality.