Topic: Malcolm Williamson 'A Mischievous Muse' 1931-2003

[vandermolen]

On my long car journey to work I have been listening to the Lyrita CD below. I have always liked 'Elevamini' (Williamson's First Symphony) - but the great recent discovery for me is the 'Sinfonia Concertante' which started out as Williamson's Second Symphony. It has a hauntingly beautiful slow movement, which I keep playing on its own - although I like the work generally (it reminds me a bit of Bernstein's 'Age of Anxiety') - but do look out for the slow movement. As for Elevamini, I think that the Groves performance has a greater urgency than the (very good) Ruman Gamba recording on Chandos. I am enjoying re-discovering the music of Malcolm Williamson - an underrated figure in my view.

[Dundonnell]

Another of Chandos's aborted Series

Can you have a Series of only 2 Volumes?

There are still four Williamson Symphonies waiting to be discovered on disc: Nos. 2(1968), 3 "The Icy Mirror"(1972), No.4(1977) and never performed and the huge No.6(1982) written for the Australian Broadcasting Corporation. There is also, of course, the massive Mass of Christ the King(1978).

Apparently his music is never played in Australia...the usual fate of the emigre.....and I fear that the Chandos attempt was his final chance

[vandermolen]

Another of Chandos's aborted Series

Can you have a Series of only 2 Volumes?

There are still four Williamson Symphonies waiting to be discovered on disc: Nos. 2(1968), 3 "The Icy Mirror"(1972), No.4(1977) and never performed and the huge No.6(1982) written for the Australian Broadcasting Corporation. There is also, of course, the massive Mass of Christ the King(1978).

Apparently his music is never played in Australia...the usual fate of the emigre.....and I fear that the Chandos attempt was his final chance

Thanks Colin     I know that I can invariably rely on you to respond! I have just ordered the newish biography of Williamson out the library (again!) I have increasing respect for him.

[vandermolen]

Recently I watched the animated film 'Watership Down' on DVD. A rather dark film which I like very much. Williamson wrote the music for the Prologue, but as with much else in his latter years he never completed the score (causing great trouble for the producer who had booked the orchestra to perform a non-existent score). At the last minute Angela Morley stepped in to complete a very fine and atmospheric score (which also includes Mike Batt's 'Bright Eyes' sung by Art Garfunkel). So, 'Watership Down' actually features the music of three composers. On my copy of the DVD the extras feature the producer talking about these issues. Still, I like Williamson's main theme very much.

[Scots John]

Recently I watched the animated film 'Watership Down' on DVD. A rather dark film which I like very much. Williamson wrote the music for the Prologue, but as with much else in his latter years he never completed the score (causing great trouble for the producer who had booked the oechestra to perform a non-existent score). At the last minute Angela Morley stepped in to complete a very fine and atmospheric score (which also includes Mike Batt's 'Bright Eyes' sung by Art Garfunkel). So, 'Watership Down' actually features the music of three composers. On my copy of the DVD the extras feature the producer talking about these issues. Still, I like Williamson's main theme very much.

I love that movie too, and will have a wee look around for the Soundtrack.  The book is TOP reading, brilliantly crafted.  Bigwig is my Watership hero.   

[vandermolen]

I love that movie too, and will have a wee look around for the Soundtrack.  The book is TOP reading, brilliantly crafted.  Bigwig is my Watership hero.   

Hi John 

The soundtrack is now ridiculously expensive on Amazon.  I just bought the book for my wife to read (it will distract her from the growing number of CDs in the house  ) Yes, Bigwig is a great character, although I like Kehaar in the film and have rather a soft spot for 'The General' brilliantly played by Harry Andrews in the film.

[Christo]

Recently I watched the animated film 'Watership Down' on DVD. A rather dark film which I like very much. Williamson wrote the music for the Prologue, but as with much else in his latter years he never completed the score (causing great trouble for the producer who had booked the orchestra to perform a non-existent score). At the last minute Angela Morley stepped in to complete a very fine and atmospheric score (which also includes Mike Batt's 'Bright Eyes' sung by Art Garfunkel). So, 'Watership Down' actually features the music of three composers. On my copy of the DVD the extras feature the producer talking about these issues. Still, I like Williamson's main theme very much.

Never saw the film, but used to have an LP with the music in the early 1980s, probably at its release. So I clearly recall the music and only now realize that Williamson is also in it (had only Morley in mind). Great to be reminded of these 'fond memories'. 

[vandermolen]

Never saw the film, but used to have an LP with the music in the early 1980s, probably at its release. So I clearly recall the music and only now realize that Williamson is also in it (had only Morley in mind). Great to be reminded of these 'fond memories'. 

Angela Morley (AKA Wally Stott) wrote the music for 'Hancock's Half Hour' radio and tv comedy of the 1950s and early 60s. There is a nice CD of her film and tv music on Dutton including four items from Watership Down (but not the Williamson title music of course). That Watership Down soundtrack was a very fine, atmospheric and memorable LP/CD. Apparently after it bacame clear that MW had hardly written any music for the film Morley completed, what may well be her finest work in a period of two weeks!