Havergal Brian.

[cilgwyn]

As soon as this cd is over,on it goes!

[Klaatu]

Re. the comments on Symphony 2:

For those of you who haven't seen it, watch the following at 2.54 minutes into the video:

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=_nfiBooF9j0

[J.Z. Herrenberg]

I know this documentary, of course. The final minutes never fail to move me.

[vandermolen]

I'll have another listen to No 8 & some of the others mentioned here, I haven't listened to Havergal Brian for a while,I'm afraid. I've had such a pile of new ones to listen to. The emi Lp of 8 & 9 was a favourite when I was young. It only moved down the 'list' later on;particularly when I 'cracked' the later ones.

I remained stuck at the adolescent stage of development. 

[J.Z. Herrenberg]

You're only young at heart. That's a virtue

[cilgwyn]

Well,maybe I'm experiencing a (albeit,fleeting?) second adolescence? I'm listening to the eighth now,and I'm inclined to think that this is the most satisfying piece of music I've listened to all day!

[cilgwyn]

No acne this time around!
Not that I had any of course!!
I'm listening to the Ninth,now. I think I'll have a listen to No 30,as well. Another  of the Malcolm MacDonald top 5. No 16 is on a cd-r.

Uh-oh....it's time for bed!

(Takes less room,although less spontaneous! )

[cilgwyn]

I hadn't seen this article;although no doubt I'm the only one here who hasn't! I hadn't seen that photo,either. I must get out more!! Not everyone is allergic to Das Siegeslied or regards it as one of his weaker efforts,eh?! I'm  even getting an urge to bung it on after reading such enthusiasm.
Hopefully,I've mastered the hyperlink by now!!!

http://www.spectator.co.uk/2016/05/our-neglect-of-this-great-working-class-british-composer-is-a-disgrace/

[cilgwyn]

One or more of the comments posted are less than enthusiastic about the depiction of Brian,however!!

[J.Z. Herrenberg]

John Grimshaw, the HBS Chairman, linked to it on Facebook. I wasn't completely happy with it, either. Still, publicity is publicity for a composer dead for almost 44 years already.

[cilgwyn]

Wife beating,drinking,spongeing,paranoia! He likes his music,though. It IS nice to be reminded that Das Siegeslied DOES have some quiet bits and that somebody appreciates them. I like those harps,too! The joke about the f*** is crude but amusing! Havergal Brian did have a strong sense of humour,however. Example. The Tigers!

[J.Z. Herrenberg]

Brian will never be St. Havergal.

[calyptorhynchus]

"If the Symphony No. 30 were premièred today as the work of a photogenic 25-year-old, preferably female or gay, it would cause a sensation." Doesn't the right love its own talking points?

Re the fart anecdote, I think flatulent humour was Bantock's thing, Brian was just indulging him.

[cilgwyn]

F****** aside ,judging by posts at the AMF Forum it shouldn't be too long before we finally get our mits on the latest Havergal Brian release! I see a preorder (at the Dutton website) in the offing!!

[J.Z. Herrenberg]

Good news. I already ordered mine through the HBS. Can't wait.

[Klaze]

"If the Symphony No. 30 were premièred today as the work of a photogenic 25-year-old, preferably female or gay, it would cause a sensation." Doesn't the right love its own talking points?

I don't know about the right or the ideologies behind this, but this resentful little article certainly won't do much to enthuse me further to Havergal Brian.

Anyway, these and other narratives around "neglected composers" have gotten a bit tiresome to me, and may have led to unreasonable expectations in some instances

That being said, that's certainly not Brian's fault, and I will continue to greatly enjoy such works as Symphonies 8 & 10.

[cilgwyn]

I have some of Tikhon Khrennikov in my cd collection and I must admit I DO rather like some of his music. Havergal Brian's shortcomings as a human being are pretty small beer by comparison. And then you've got Nicolas Gombert and Carlo Gesualdo..........you could go on............

Quite a nice chap that Havergal Brian!

[cilgwyn]

I like him,anyway!

[cilgwyn]

Well,the new Havergal Brian cd of Symphonies 2 & 14,from Dutton,is there on their website ready to order!

[cilgwyn]

My order has been placed!