Topic: Havergal Brian.

[J.Z. Herrenberg]

Alas, no. We'll just have to be patient, I guess. Another nice thing on the horizon, though, is a DVD of the Brisbane 'Gothic' of 2010...

[Albion]

Thanks. I'm sure that when it eventually appears this recording of Faust with the forces of ENO will be a spectacular vindication of Brian's operatic mastery...

[J.Z. Herrenberg]

In preparation for that event, you can always study the piano reduction:

https://ump.co.uk/catalogue/havergal-brian-faust/
Several symphonies can now be studied in score online. Check the HBS site.

[relm1]

Exciting new release!

Of course, I must own this but I wish Groves had recorded Part 2 as well. 

[vandermolen]

Of course, I must own this but I wish Groves had recorded Part 2 as well. 

Yes, I agree but I prefer the orchestral sections (apart from the ethereal last chord of the finale).

[Klaatu]

Hi everyone,

Here's a late Christmas present!

I can't tell you how delighted I was to find this today - the documentary "The Grateful and the Dead", about the rock band The Grateful Dead and their Rex Foundation, which subsidised the performance of neglected classical music. I saw this on TV back in 1992 and kept hoping somebody would upload it - and they have!

This documentary is now on YouTube and contains rarely-seen footage of HB and the rehearsals for the Bratislava performance of The Gothic. And several other neglected and worthy composers besides. Enjoy!

https://youtu.be/x1ZKCVaPw7c

[Klaatu]

PS The HB section starts around 24 minutes in ..... immediately followed by Bob Simpson! What's not to like?

[J.Z. Herrenberg]

Nice! I remember watching that, too. Many thanks for this great find!

[vandermolen]

Enthusiastic review of new Heritage release of Charles Groves conducting Part 1 of the Gothic Symphony. I didn't know or have forgotten that Brian sanction performances of the orchestral movements without the choral finale:
http://www.musicweb-international.com/classrev/2021/Feb/Brian-sy1-HTGCD172.htm

[J.Z. Herrenberg]

Will read. If they are enthusiastic, so am I. 'In Memoriam' gets its best performance and Part 1 of The Gothic, although a bit rough around the edges, is very exciting. That climax in the Vivace, with the three giant chords, is taken very slowly, and it works very well.
Update: good review! Totally agree.

[relm1]

Will read. If they are enthusiastic, so am I. 'In Memoriam' gets its best performance and Part 1 of The Gothic, although a bit rough around the edges, is very exciting. That climax in the Vivace, with the three giant chords, is taken very slowly, and it works very well.
Update: good review! Totally agree.

Completely agree.  Very good and exciting performance I very much enjoyed.  Wish we had his part 2 though.  i like his pacing better than Boults maybe even my favorite.

[Maestro267]

I'm into session 4 (of of a Havergal Brian symphony run. First time I'll have listened to all 32 in numerical order.

Planned (or already completed) schedule:

Session 1: No. 1 (yesterday)
Session 2: Nos. 2-3 (yesterday)
Session 3: Nos. 4-6 (earlier today)
Session 4: Nos. 7-9 (currently playing No. 7 as I write)
Session 5: Nos. 10-15
Session 6: Nos. 16-20
Session 7: Nos. 21-26
Session 8: Nos. 27-32

[J.Z. Herrenberg]

That sounds wonderful. You will notice that every symphony has its own character.  While I do have my favorites, I am very glad we have 32 of them! Happy listening!