Edmund Rubbra (1901-1986)

[ChamberNut]

I am not usually much of a chamber music fan but I've just put the Maggini Quartet's big Naxos box of British String Quartets (plus other chamber works) in my already-bulging Amazon basket having read so many positive reviews of their recordings. I DO love the chamber music of Brahms, Dvorak, Stanford and York Bowen so this will give me the impetus to learn some new repertoire which might lead me to explore further into the genre. Can anybody give a critique of what I can expect from the Naxos box?

 

@Albion

Buy with 100% confidence. Coming from someone who isn't very keen on a lot of British music. I do enjoy this set a lot. Eat gruel for a month to offset the expense. 😊

[Albion]

@Albion

Buy with 100% confidence. Coming from someone who isn't very keen on a lot of British music. I do enjoy this set a lot. Eat gruel for a month to offset the expense. 😊

I've often eaten nothing whatsoever in order to get access to great music! Many thanks for your ringing endorsement of this collection...

[foxandpeng]

Thanks, Vandermolen, that means a lot after what has been happening to me in 2024. I hope to keep posting for the foreseeable...

 

It is, indeed, very good to see your return. Sorry to hear that 2024 hasn't all been plain sailing, but glad that you are back on the radar. Always appreciate your posts.

[Roy Bland]

Thanks, Vandermolen, that means a lot after what has been happening to me in 2024. I hope to keep posting for the foreseeable...

 

Your posts are highly valuable
Best Wishes

[foxandpeng]

I probably ought to listen to far more Rubbra than I do. His symphonies are just great, with #3 undoubtedly being one of my all time favourite British symphonies.

Picked up #2 this evening after rolling pleasantly through a few Cello Concertos from different composers, and am immensely pleased I did. I bought this set blindly many years ago, and came to love the whole cycle very much. Exploring other music shouldn't keep you away from established favourites!

I keep meaning to spend time with the SQs, so perhaps a jaunt through the symphonies by means of preparation 😁

[johnhanks]

Good afternoon. I'm new to the Forum, and this is my first post here.

Many years ago I came across, in a discount store, a boxed LP set imaginatively titled '20th Century British Piano Concertos'. Having acquired it for a nugatory sum, I found the concertos by Tippett, Rawsthorne, Williamson et al more or less interesting (to damn them with faint praise), then eventually put on a concerto by a composer I'd vaguely heard of but never listened to; and right from the opening bars it had me gobsmacked. The concerto was Rubbra's of course, and thus captivated I duly explored the symphonies, chamber and solo piano music.

One of the greatest British composers of the century, as far as I'm concerned.

Best regards to all.

[vandermolen]

Good afternoon. I'm new to the Forum, and this is my first post here.

Many years ago I came across, in a discount store, a boxed LP set imaginatively titled '20th Century British Piano Concertos'. Having acquired it for a nugatory sum, I found the concertos by Tippett, Rawsthorne, Williamson et al more or less interesting (to damn them with faint praise), then eventually put on a concerto by a composer I'd vaguely heard of but never listened to; and right from the opening bars it had me gobsmacked. The concerto was Rubbra's of course, and thus captivated I duly explored the symphonies, chamber and solo piano music.

One of the greatest British composers of the century, as far as I'm concerned.

Best regards to all.

That was a great set!

[Spotted Horses]

Good afternoon. I'm new to the Forum, and this is my first post here.

Many years ago I came across, in a discount store, a boxed LP set imaginatively titled '20th Century British Piano Concertos'. Having acquired it for a nugatory sum, I found the concertos by Tippett, Rawsthorne, Williamson et al more or less interesting (to damn them with faint praise), then eventually put on a concerto by a composer I'd vaguely heard of but never listened to; and right from the opening bars it had me gobsmacked. The concerto was Rubbra's of course, and thus captivated I duly explored the symphonies, chamber and solo piano music.

One of the greatest British composers of the century, as far as I'm concerned.

Best regards to all.

I will have to revisit that work!

[foxandpeng]

Good afternoon. I'm new to the Forum, and this is my first post here.

Many years ago I came across, in a discount store, a boxed LP set imaginatively titled '20th Century British Piano Concertos'. Having acquired it for a nugatory sum, I found the concertos by Tippett, Rawsthorne, Williamson et al more or less interesting (to damn them with faint praise), then eventually put on a concerto by a composer I'd vaguely heard of but never listened to; and right from the opening bars it had me gobsmacked. The concerto was Rubbra's of course, and thus captivated I duly explored the symphonies, chamber and solo piano music.

One of the greatest British composers of the century, as far as I'm concerned.

Best regards to all.

Welcome 😊

The Rubbra symphonies are outstanding, in my book.

[Symphonic Addict]

His Piano Concerto, op. 30, from this CD, is not to be missed either:

[Spotted Horses]

I recently discovered the string quartets, which are brilliant.

[DaveF]

Good afternoon. I'm new to the Forum, and this is my first post here.

Many years ago I came across, in a discount store, a boxed LP set imaginatively titled '20th Century British Piano Concertos'. Having acquired it for a nugatory sum, I found the concertos by Tippett, Rawsthorne, Williamson et al more or less interesting (to damn them with faint praise), then eventually put on a concerto by a composer I'd vaguely heard of but never listened to; and right from the opening bars it had me gobsmacked. The concerto was Rubbra's of course, and thus captivated I duly explored the symphonies, chamber and solo piano music.

One of the greatest British composers of the century, as far as I'm concerned.

Best regards to all.

Welcome, and you're in good company (well, GMG company, anyway ) as there are a few Rubbra-philes here - he was of course one of the "Northampton Three", along with Arnold and Alwyn.  (Amusing to note than right next to where Rubbra was born is a school called the Malcolm Arnold Academy - now that's just showing off, Northampton!)  My own entry point was the 1st symphony, not recorded until the BBCNOW/Hickox set. which seemed like a perfect introduction to his continuous-development style.  Recently, I've come to value the chamber music and especially the choral and vocal music more - the symphonies are deeply rewarding pieces, but I sometimes find the orchestration a bit unvaried (in a world working on a different timescale, I would have loved to hand over the Intermezzo of the 4th symphony to Elgar for re-orchestration).

[johnhanks]

... I sometimes find the orchestration a bit unvaried ... I would have loved to hand over the Intermezzo of the 4th symphony to Elgar for re-orchestration).

Agreed, he wasn't a sparkling orchestrator. As for the 4th symphony - an utter masterpiece, pedestrian orchestration notwithstanding.

[vandermolen]

Agreed, he wasn't a sparkling orchestrator. As for the 4th symphony - an utter masterpiece, pedestrian orchestration notwithstanding.

I agree - Rubbra's own historical recording (on Somm) is my favourite. My entry was his 5th Symphony conducted by Barbirolli on LP from a Record Library in London (with VW's 5 Variants on Dives and Lazarus and the Oboe Concerto - a great LP).

[kyjo]

Good afternoon. I'm new to the Forum, and this is my first post here.

Many years ago I came across, in a discount store, a boxed LP set imaginatively titled '20th Century British Piano Concertos'. Having acquired it for a nugatory sum, I found the concertos by Tippett, Rawsthorne, Williamson et al more or less interesting (to damn them with faint praise), then eventually put on a concerto by a composer I'd vaguely heard of but never listened to; and right from the opening bars it had me gobsmacked. The concerto was Rubbra's of course, and thus captivated I duly explored the symphonies, chamber and solo piano music.

One of the greatest British composers of the century, as far as I'm concerned.

Best regards to all.

Welcome to the forum, John! I assume you're referring to the Piano Concerto in G, Op. 85? It's been years since I've listened to it, but I recall it being a rather restrained yet engrossing and singular work. It's worth pointing out that Rubbra wrote two other piano concertos - the Piano Concerto, Op. 30 that Cesar mentioned (recorded by Lyrita) and the Sinfonia Concertante, Op. 38 (recorded by Chandos and Lyrita). I have yet to hear both works!

I think there are more excellent 20th century British piano concerti than is often given credit for. In addition to the Rubbra, I rate particularly highly the ones by Vaughan Williams (esp. in the version for 2 pianos), Britten (plus the Diversions), Tippett (plus the Fantasia on a Theme of Handel), Foulds (Dynamic Triptych), Alwyn (esp. No. 2), Rawsthorne (both), Lloyd (Nos. 1 and 4), Leighton (No. 3), Bliss, Ireland (plus the Legend), and Stanley Bate (No. 2). And not to forget Bax's Winter Legends and Arnold's extraordinary Fantasy on a Theme of John Field!

[Irons]

Confident this is the set John is alluding to.



Ireland: PC in E flat. Colin Horsley RPO Basil Cameron.
Britten: PC. Jacques Abram Philharmonia Herbert Menges.

Bliss: PC. Trevor Barnard Philharmonia Sir Malcolm Sargent.
Rawsthorne: PC No.1 Maura Lympany Philharmonia Herbert Menges.

Rawsthorne: PC No.2. Dennis Matthews BBC SO Sir Malcolm Sargent.
Rubbra PC in G, Op.85  ditto.

Tippett: PC. John Ogdon Philharmonia Colin Davis.
Williamson: Concerto for Piano & Strings. Gwenneth Pryor Strings of ECO Yuval Zaliouk.

[johnhanks]

... It's worth pointing out that Rubbra wrote two other piano concertos - the Piano Concerto, Op. 30 that Cesar mentioned (recorded by Lyrita) and the Sinfonia Concertante, Op. 38 (recorded by Chandos and Lyrita). ...

Thanks for that. I'm familiar with the Sinfonia Concertante, but the earlier concerto Op. 30 I've never heard: I'll have to chase up the CD that Symphonic Addict recommended.

In related territory, I'm also a huge fan of the Viola Concerto, though I know it only from Rivka Golani's performance on Conifer.

[johnhanks]

Confident this is the set John is alluding to.



Ireland: PC in E flat. Colin Horsley RPO Basil Cameron.
Britten: PC. Jacques Abram Philharmonia Herbert Menges.

Bliss: PC. Trevor Barnard Philharmonia Sir Malcolm Sargent.
Rawsthorne: PC No.1 Maura Lympany Philharmonia Herbert Menges.

Rawsthorne: PC No.2. Dennis Matthews BBC SO Sir Malcolm Sargent.
Rubbra PC in G, Op.85  ditto.

Tippett: PC. John Ogdon Philharmonia Colin Davis.
Williamson: Concerto for Piano & Strings. Gwenneth Pryor Strings of ECO Yuval Zaliouk.

Yes, that's the set, and terrific value it was. Only the Williamson a disappointment, I thought.

[kyjo]

Thanks for that. I'm familiar with the Sinfonia Concertante, but the earlier concerto Op. 30 I've never heard: I'll have to chase up the CD that Symphonic Addict recommended.

In related territory, I'm also a huge fan of the Viola Concerto, though I know it only from Rivka Golani's performance on Conifer.

Must revisit the Viola Concerto! More recently I discovered his Violin Concerto, which is quite a beautiful and soulful work in the first two movements. The brief finale is uncharacteristically lighthearted and even frivolous for Rubbra, with a prominent part for the xylophone! My only complaint is that the ending is quite abrupt to my ears. The Naxos recording is excellent: