Howard Hanson composed his“Romantic” Second Symphony in the early 20th century, a time when romanticism was falling out of fashion in America and musical trends like formalism and serialism were taking hold. Hanson wrote the symphony as a counter to such musical trends, stating the purpose of the piece was “to create a work young in spirit, Romantic in temperament, and simple and direct in expression.” It’s our Evening Masterwork tonight at 7 on Classical WSMR 89.1 and 103.9.