Havergal Brian.

[relm1]

I just listened to Brian's Symphony No. 11 (1954) for the first time and completely loved it!  Generally, when I think of this composer, I think of stream of consciousness but here is a work full of emotional depth, skillful use of structure, originality, vigor, and drama.  Perhaps this is a transitional work from his mid phase.  His earlier symphonies were grandiose and his late phase headed towards brevity and fragmented ideas.  I think this is a hidden gem of his extensive catalog well worth broader exposure.  Contemporary works by other English composers would include Ralph Vaughan Williams' Symphony No. 8 (1953-5), Malcolm Arnold's Symphony No. 2 (1953), William Alwyn's Symphony No. 2 (1953), Daniel Jones' Symphony No. 4 (1954), Edmund Rubbra's Symphony No. 6 (1954), Stanley Bate's Symphony No. 4 (1954-5), Arthur Butterworth's Symphony No. 1 (1954-5), George Lloyd's Symphony No. 6, John Joubert's Symphony No. 1 (1956)...there were some major symphonies in this period and I think Brian's stands up.  Hearing this makes me want to hear more from his mid period.  Brian is such a unique composer with an incredibly wide range from the monumental early symphonies to the deeply individualistic and condensed style of his later ones. 

I very much love Brian's Symphonies No. 5 – 10, I would probably describe those as mid-career symphonies, lumping 1-4 in the early category.  I'm not exactly sure where I'd place the late group as starting but hear 11 as transitional.  It has characteristics of the early and late....but then, maybe all of them do.

[krummholz]

The 11th is also one of my favorites among his "lesser" symphonies. It does have a more easily identified "continuity" as compared with some of the later symphonies (#26 being a rather extreme example).

I believe I read somewhere that the first movement of #11 was played at Brian's funeral.

[J.Z. Herrenberg]

I don't know that recording, was it the early 1960s BBC one? Is it better than Groves'?

Newstone's Seventh dates from 1966, and I prefer it to the Mackerras. You can listen to it through the HBS Recordings Library.

[J.Z. Herrenberg]

I just listened to Brian's Symphony No. 11 (1954) for the first time and completely loved it!  Generally, when I think of this composer, I think of stream of consciousness but here is a work full of emotional depth, skillful use of structure, originality, vigor, and drama.  Perhaps this is a transitional work from his mid phase.  His earlier symphonies were grandiose and his late phase headed towards brevity and fragmented ideas.  I think this is a hidden gem of his extensive catalog well worth broader exposure.  Contemporary works by other English composers would include Ralph Vaughan Williams' Symphony No. 8 (1953-5), Malcolm Arnold's Symphony No. 2 (1953), William Alwyn's Symphony No. 2 (1953), Daniel Jones' Symphony No. 4 (1954), Edmund Rubbra's Symphony No. 6 (1954), Stanley Bate's Symphony No. 4 (1954-5), Arthur Butterworth's Symphony No. 1 (1954-5), George Lloyd's Symphony No. 6, John Joubert's Symphony No. 1 (1956)...there were some major symphonies in this period and I think Brian's stands up.  Hearing this makes me want to hear more from his mid period.  Brian is such a unique composer with an incredibly wide range from the monumental early symphonies to the deeply individualistic and condensed style of his later ones. 

I very much love Brian's Symphonies No. 5 – 10, I would probably describe those as mid-career symphonies, lumping 1-4 in the early category.  I'm not exactly sure where I'd place the late group as starting but hear 11 as transitional.  It has characteristics of the early and late....but then, maybe all of them do.

Malcolm MacDonald divides Brian's symphonic career as follows: 1-5, 6-12, 13-17, 18-20, 21 + Concerto for Orchestra, 22-24, 25-32. Why, would require a whole article for which I have no time. I can say, though, that MM regards No. 11 as a sort of 'holiday symphony' between the two powerful symphonies 10 and 12. After 12 came a long hiatus, and with No. 13 Brian started a new chapter.

[foxandpeng]

Malcolm MacDonald divides Brian's symphonic career as follows: 1-5, 6-12, 13-17, 18-20, 21 + Concerto for Orchestra, 22-24, 25-32. Why, would require a whole article for which I have no time. I can say, though, that MM regards No. 11 as a sort of 'holiday symphony' between the two powerful symphonies 10 and 12. After 12 came a long hiatus, and with No. 13 Brian started a new chapter.

Such helpfully knowledgeable snippets are one of the many reasons for the value, and dare I say, primacy, of this forum...

[Wanderer]

Hyperion just dropped their recording of Agamemnon and Symphonies Nos. 6 & 12, performed by the English National Opera Orchestra and Chorus under Martyn Brabbins. It's out now and streaming!