Crawford Symphony XII in Eb Minor "Ballader og Marsjer"

Crawford wrote this symphony when he had enough of all of the obstacles he was going through in life and was ready to quit it all. The catalyst was when he made a new friend. Making friends was one of the few things he desired outside of his musical life. Someone who liked her was jealous that he was going to steal her away and personally came to him to threaten him. He told Crawford to never hang with her again or he’ll be beaten up. He was triggered by PTSD at that moment which prevented him from telling him that the girl he liked wasn’t her, but her best friend. He was already heartbroken from that previous heartbreak which made him write the piece. The second movement is considered one of Crawford’s most personal works.

This piece has fabulous Oboe, Flute, Bassoon, Clarinet, Piccolo, Strings, Trumpet, Horn, Low Brass, and Snare Drum excerpts.

Fun Fact: Even Crawford feels ridiculous and sorry for string players for the string parts he wrote, but he keeps it because it's what he wrote in that moment.