The composition is inspired by the pealing of the St Mark's Campanile's bells in Venice, where Malipiero lived. The mournful finale reflects the night in September 1943 when the bells proclaimed the foundation of the Social Republic. In the composer's words, [the symphony] is connected to a terrible date, 18 September 1943. At dusk of that unforgettable day the bells of San Marco rang, but they couldn't deceive those who knew their true voice. They didn't ring for peace, but to announce new torments, more anguish.[1]
The symphony lasts c. 24 minutes, and it consists of four movements: