• For orchestra of 70 musicians and chorus of 70 voices (6 flutes [4 doubling with piccolo, 1 with alto flute and 1 with bass flute], 2 oboes, 1 piccolo clarinet, 19 clarinets [individual parts], 1 alto clarinet, 1 bass clarinet, 1 contralto doubling with contrabass clarinet, 2 bassoons, 1 sop sax, 1 alto sax, 1 tenor sax, 1 baritone sax, 5 trumpets, 4 horns, 3 euphoniums, 4 tenor trombones, 6 tubas [individual parts], 7 percussionists [high claves + tenor drum + cymbals/ middle claves + field drum + cymbals/ low claves + gong drum + cymbals + timpani/ 3 snare drums + 1 triangle/ crotales + glockenspiel + xylophone/ vibraphone+ cymbals], 1 yang qin, 1 acoustic doubling on electric guitar, 1 pi pa, 1 piano + harpsichord, 2 violins, 1 viola, 2 celli and 1 bass)

• Duration: 23' 22"
• In 1 movement
• Composed in 2006
• Commissioned by the Singapore Arts Fest 2006
• Dedicated to MGA
• First performance: 03.06.06 The Philharmonic Winds conducted by R Casteels the Esplanade Concert Hall (Singapore)
• Full score: ISBN: 981-05-6960-2
• Parts: To rent the parts, please email <rc@robertcasteels.com>
• Recording: To purchase the cd, please email <rc@robertcasteels.com>
• Downloadable scores for inspection:
  Symphony_Music_Notes.pdf

Symphony no. 2 presents a stark difference from his first and third; one obvious difference is that Symphony no. 2 is in one movement. Its unitary form was sculpted as its content was being developed. The acoustical possibilities of each instrument dictated the choice of the diverse instrumentation that includes: choir, organ, piano, bowed strings, plucked strings (harp, harpsichord, pipa, yangqin, electric and acoustic guitars), complete clarinet family (from piccolo to contralto and contrabass clarinets), complete flute family (from 4 piccolos to alto and bass flute), and 7 tubas on top of the standard wind orchestra configuration.

Casteels drew his inspiration for Symphony no. 2 partly from a fascination with numbers and partly from a German lied and a Flemish folk song. He does not adhere to the common belief that numbers and pleasure are antithetical; in fact, to him, numbers contain endless possibilities for inspiration, metamorphoses and dreams. In times when obsession with immediate financial gratification seems to be prevalent, Casteels admires scientists and mathematicians who dedicate their entire life to research that benefits future generations, and also societies that enable this research to take place. The number seven takes on a seminal significance. This mathematical framework contrasts with dreamy reminiscences of an art song and the refreshing contrast of a humorous ditty. At first the sung text refers to mathematicians such as Pythagoras, Diophantus, de Fermat, Euler, Lagrange, Riemann, Kummer and Wiles. Thereafter, the choir alternates between the teasing “fury furry” and de Fermat’s last theorem that was elucidated by Andrew Wiles. Symphony no. 2 for an orchestra of 70 musicians and a chorus of 70 voices was commissioned by the Singapore Arts Festival 2006 and first performed at the Singapore Arts Festival 2006 in the Esplanade Concert Hall by The Philharmonic Winds and conducted by the composer.

Quote
Casteels’ monumental Symphony no. 2 begins somberly but becomes enveloped by a wickedly humorous ditty midway through the piece.
Lee Shin-Kang, Singapore