Rounds

America composer David Diamond (1915-2005) composed "Rounds for String Orchestra" in 1944 in an effort to distract from the dark days of WWII. The light-hearted, energetic work uses contemporary harmonies, interesting textures, and intricate rhythm patterns to develop the form of the round. In three movements, performed without pause, the music travels through from the opening exuberant Allegro molto vivace to a rich, lyrical Adagio, flowing effortlessly into a vibrant Allegro vigoroso that unifies the themes in a glorious finale. Frequently programmed by well-known conductors, including Leonard Bernstein and Aaron Copland, this work has remained popular for decades.