Topic: Sir Arnold Bax

[vandermolen]

I endorse these comments. When I think of 'epic', Bax is one of the composers who come to my mind. His music, or at least much of it, is imbued with that legendary/atmospheric/epic feel to it that I find so irresistible and fantastic. Maybe gripping not all the time, but epic, oh yes! Much more so. The 5th Symphony is really a winner in that regard. The last time when I listened to it, it blew me away. It's so consistently wonderful from the very beginning. And that slow movement is a real stunner. I consider that symphony one of my favorite British symphonies, along with VW's 2nd, Walton's 1st, Arnold's 5th, Elgar's 2nd and Brian's 1st.

What a great list of favourite British symphonies!
I've probably asked you before Cesar but do you know the third symphonies of Arnell and Bate? Both excellent in my opinion.

[Irons]

I endorse these comments. When I think of 'epic', Bax is one of the composers who come to my mind. His music, or at least much of it, is imbued with that legendary/atmospheric/epic feel to it that I find so irresistible and fantastic. Maybe gripping not all the time, but epic, oh yes! Much more so. The 5th Symphony is really a winner in that regard. The last time when I listened to it, it blew me away. It's so consistently wonderful from the very beginning. And that slow movement is a real stunner. I consider that symphony one of my favorite British symphonies, along with VW's 2nd, Walton's 1st, Arnold's 5th, Elgar's 2nd and Brian's 1st.

I think for a symphony to be "epic" is not to do with length or size but content. RVW "London" is not epic as it is a work concerning the human condition by a Londoner in London. I find Sibelius epic and the most epic symphony the shortest, the 7th. Mahler although epic in scale, I do not. Bax does concern himself with similar subjects as Sibelius and I was forcibly reminded of the latter in the wonderful first movement of Bax's 5th Symphony. Bax writes of seas and forests and he would not compose a "Cockaigne" or similar. So epic in my book.

[Biffo]

I think for a symphony to be "epic" is not to do with length or size but content. RVW "London" is not epic as it is a work concerning the human condition by a Londoner in London. I find Sibelius epic and the most epic symphony the shortest, the 7th. Mahler although epic in scale, I do not. Bax does concern himself with similar subjects as Sibelius and I was forcibly reminded of the latter in the wonderful first movement of Bax's 5th Symphony. Bax writes of seas and forests and he would not compose a "Cockaigne" or similar. So epic in my book.

In 1937 Bax wrote A London Pageant for the Coronation of George VI. The booklet notes for the Chandos album conducted by Martyn Brabbins say 'The music is much more than a march and trio. Falling into various descriptive and evocative passages, it is more a tone poem than a pure concert march'. Sounds pretty similar to Cockaigne to me.

Bax has several works with  'Legend' in the title but is Tintagel that I would describe as 'epic'.

[SymphonicAddict]

What a great list of favourite British symphonies!
I've probably asked you before Cesar but do you know the third symphonies of Arnell and Bate? Both excellent in my opinion.

Yes, Jeffrey, I do! Almost all the Arnell symphonies are magnificent IMO, even his last one (and unfinished IIRC) Mandela has appealing qualities. Bate's 2 only recorded symphonies meant excitement and pleasure when I listened to them, but I am with you in preferring the 3rd.

[SymphonicAddict]

I think for a symphony to be "epic" is not to do with length or size but content. RVW "London" is not epic as it is a work concerning the human condition by a Londoner in London. I find Sibelius epic and the most epic symphony the shortest, the 7th. Mahler although epic in scale, I do not. Bax does concern himself with similar subjects as Sibelius and I was forcibly reminded of the latter in the wonderful first movement of Bax's 5th Symphony. Bax writes of seas and forests and he would not compose a "Cockaigne" or similar. So epic in my book.

Definitely 'epic' has different meanings and interpretations depending on each. For me, Mahler is epic, mostly in his symphonies 2 and 6 (my favorites btw). In general, I consider epic when there is a sort of depiction of something heroic or there is intense struggle through the music, often resulting in good triumphing over evil.

[kyjo]

Lately I was quite pleasantly surprised, even blown away, by Bax's Concertino for Piano and Orchestra (1939). Bax never orchestrated it, but fortunately Bax scholar Graham Parlett produced a very plausible orchestration which exhibits all the Baxian trademarks (prominent tuba lines, tambourine and snare drum rattles, etc.). It's much more a "concerto" than a "concertino", being epic in scope and intention. It's a superbly dark, dramatic, and imaginative work with lots of memorable ideas, even if the finale isn't completely convincing. It's also, in my view, Bax's most successful concertante work - I find some of the others rather discursive and unmemorable, though I enjoy Winter Legends and the Concertante for Piano Left-Hand well enough. It's available on the below Somm CD in an excellent performance and coupled quite appropriately with Ireland's haunting Legend - which it is strikingly similar to in mood - and his PC. Highly recommended to all Bax fans:

https://youtu.be/vzQ82OK1B38

[SymphonicAddict]

Lately I was quite pleasantly surprised, even blown away, by Bax's Concertino for Piano and Orchestra (1939). Bax never orchestrated it, but fortunately Bax scholar Graham Parlett produced a very plausible orchestration which exhibits all the Baxian trademarks (prominent tuba lines, tambourine and snare drum rattles, etc.). It's much more a "concerto" than a "concertino", being epic in scope and intention. It's a superbly dark, dramatic, and imaginative work with lots of memorable ideas, even if the finale isn't completely convincing. It's also, in my view, Bax's most successful concertante work - I find some of the others rather discursive and unmemorable, though I enjoy Winter Legends and the Concertante for Piano Left-Hand well enough. It's available on the below Somm CD in an excellent performance and coupled quite appropriately with Ireland's haunting Legend - which it is strikingly similar to in mood - and his PC. Highly recommended to all Bax fans:

https://youtu.be/vzQ82OK1B38

This is promising because I also know practically all his concertante works and there are just a few of them I really like, being Winter Legends one of them, though not strictly concertante. The Cello Concerto is mildly good. The Fantasia for viola and orchestra has very nice music.

[vandermolen]

Lately I was quite pleasantly surprised, even blown away, by Bax's Concertino for Piano and Orchestra (1939). Bax never orchestrated it, but fortunately Bax scholar Graham Parlett produced a very plausible orchestration which exhibits all the Baxian trademarks (prominent tuba lines, tambourine and snare drum rattles, etc.). It's much more a "concerto" than a "concertino", being epic in scope and intention. It's a superbly dark, dramatic, and imaginative work with lots of memorable ideas, even if the finale isn't completely convincing. It's also, in my view, Bax's most successful concertante work - I find some of the others rather discursive and unmemorable, though I enjoy Winter Legends and the Concertante for Piano Left-Hand well enough. It's available on the below Somm CD in an excellent performance and coupled quite appropriately with Ireland's haunting Legend - which it is strikingly similar to in mood - and his PC. Highly recommended to all Bax fans:

https://youtu.be/vzQ82OK1B38

I largely agree with you Kyle and really enjoy that disc as well. However, I do like the Symphonic Variations, which I prefer to Winter Legends. I like the John Ireland couplings too in the disc above. Actually I prefer the 'Legend' to the much fabled Piano Concerto, possibly as a result of over-exposure to the latter.

[kyjo]

I largely agree with you Kyle and really enjoy that disc as well. However, I do like the Symphonic Variations, which I prefer to Winter Legends. I like the John Ireland couplings too in the disc above. Actually I prefer the 'Legend' to the much fabled Piano Concerto, possibly as a result of over-exposure to the latter.

I also prefer Ireland's Legend to his PC. I'll have to give the Bax Symphonic Variations another try, because they haven't resonated much with me in the past.