This symphony is an homage to the music that I have played or listened to and that goes through my
brain so much. The first movement is a mix of Schubert's Unfinished Symphony and Danny
Elfman's Batman score. The third movement is an homage to Dvorak's New World Symphony. I
add my own twists: the first and third movements are long and repetitive, but I like long and
repetitive things - it reflects my monastic bent - and although both of these movements are loosely
based on sonata style (a couple of themes stated, then developed, then restated), the secondary
theme in the first movement is in the relative major of the primary theme (rather than the usual
dominant) and the third movement really has only one theme, and I tend to use repetition as a
development device in both movements. The lightness, beauty, and playfulness of the first
movement's secondary theme surprises me; I am much more prone to writing somber or pretentious
music.

The middle movement is more of a gauzy nothingness in between the beginning and ending, sort of
like a sleepy dance (taking the place of a minuet in a strictly classical symphony). There are some
very beautiful moments in this middle movement, and I like it as a stand alone piece, as well as an
integral part of this symphony.

Many thanks to John Webber for suggesting changes that make a better experience for the listener (I
tend to write insular music only for my enjoyment, and he has suggested many things in all my
works to make them more interesting to the world outside my head). Many thanks also to Caroline
Webber for allowing me to give so much work to John.

Br. Abraham Newsom
St. Gregory's Abbey
Three Rivers, Michigan