It was inspired by Bax's love of the sea and premiered in 1931 by British conductor Basil Cameron and the San Francisco Symphony Orchestra.
[1] It is scored for piccolo, three flutes, two oboes, English horn, three clarinets, bass clarinet, two bassoons, double bassoon, six horns, three trumpets, three trombones, euphonium, tuba, timpani, bass drum, snare drum, tambourine, cymbals, gong, xylophone, glockenspiel, celesta, organ, harp and strings.
It is probably the most imposing opening of the Bax symphonies, drawing inspiration from the sea.
The second subject is much calmer and gorgeously melodic, being introduced by solo oboe and then taken up by the strings.
The first movement ends triumphantly and joyously with brass major chords at its close.