The Great Outdoors
The music department at Allan Glen's was at the end of the third floor corridor with one classroom on either side of the building and a music "store cupboard" in between. Those of us who were studying music 'seriously' were allowed to access that store cupboard - including the record player that was in there. There was a good supply of LPs but the clip that I am sharing today is of the music that I most associate with that cupboard.
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Although sandwiched between the two classrooms, the cupboard did have a window and the fact that I often listened to this music with that window opened probably accounts for the fact that I associate it completely with "the great outdoors". Let me be clear - the view over Glasgow from the window was 'limited' and not overly inspiring - but it did mean that this music always had other sounds going on - so in my mind it is great music for listening to whilst sitting in the garden watching the trees and listening to the birds.
The recording I have linked is of the 1st movement only. The 2nd is much darker in sound before a more pastoral 3rd movement which leads into the finale. I remember that one of the great unknowns (unless this is a symphony you know well) was whether the symphony ended quietly or not. As the last movement unfolds it is difficult to tell whether it will be a peaceful or triumphant end.
As usual, if you like this then find a recording of the whole symphony. Then you will be able to play the game of opening the window to let the outside noise in; closing your eyes so you cannot see how long there is to go on the recording; and trying to guess what sort ending you are going to get 
(you will find yourself changing your mind a few times....)
