Second-Tier English Symphonies

[J]

There's nothing at all English about it but I rate very highly the 4rth Symphony of Egon Wellesz (an English symphonist by virtue of long residence). 

Another "first-tier second-tier" English symphony (apologies to Karl, BTW, for indulging in the foul act of
constructing a hierarchy) is George Lloyd's Symphony No.7 - by some margin IMO the most concentrated
and coherent of his cycle.

Also Patrick Hadley's "The Trees So High" - a 4 movement symphony in all but name  (in fact he did
initially title it "Symphony") - would be in my top dozen or so.

[Lethevich]

That Hadley piece is really impressive - I wasn't aware of its "almost symphony" status, though. I will bear that in mnd next time I listen.

[Christo]

I seem to agree with some here – but I'll add a few more suggestions:

1.   Havergal Brian – Gothic Symphony (plus 6, 7, 8, 10, 16  )
2.   Arnold Cooke – Symphony No. 1
3.   Arthur Bliss – A Colour Symphony
4.   Robert Simpson – Symphony No. 9
5.   Eugene Goossens – Symphony No. 1 & 2
6.   Lennox Berkeley – Symphony No. 2
7.   Armstrong Gibbs – Symphony No. 3 `Westmorland'
8.   William Alwyn – Symphony No. 2
9.   Granville Bantock – Celtic Symphony
10.   Alan Rawsthorne – Symphony No. 1 (2, 3  ) 

[Mirror Image]

1.   Havergal Brian – Gothic Symphony
3.   Arthur Bliss – A Colour Symphony
7.   Armstrong Gibbs – Symphony No. 3 `Westmorland'
8.   William Alwyn – Symphony No. 2
9.   Granville Bantock – Celtic Symphony

These are all fine symphonies and it's interesting you added Alwyn's 2nd as I know many would put his 3rd down, but for me I think his 4th (along with the 3rd) are two of his finest symphonies. The last movement of Alwyn's Symphony No. 4 is cause enough for praise I think.

[Christo]

These are all fine symphonies and it's interesting you added Alwyn's 2nd as I know many would put his 3rd down, but for me I think his 4th (along with the 3rd) are two of his finest symphonies. The last movement of Alwyn's Symphony No. 4 is cause enough for praise I think.

You are absolutely, positively right in all respects.

(And yet - I prefer the Second for its atmosphere, I think )

[Daverz]

I'd question whether Moeran or Arnold were of the first rank like the others. They composed in quite outdated

Music is not a commodity with a "sell by" date.     It either stands on its own or it doesn't, and for me the music of both of these composers very much does.

[vandermolen]

Alwyn's Second Symphony was his own favourite - mine too as it has a sibelian eloquence which I like.

[Sid]

Music is not a commodity with a "sell by" date.     It either stands on its own or it doesn't, and for me the music of both of these composers very much does.

Well, yes. I actually caught a broadcast of Moeran's symphony last week. I had not heard it in years. I thought it was quite filmic, lovers of movie soundtracks should love it. I have a work colleague who is such a person, and maybe I'll try to buy this symphony for her as a Christmas gift - she would definitely enjoy it...

[J]

Well, yes. I actually caught a broadcast of Moeran's symphony last week. I had not heard it in years. I thought it was quite filmic, lovers of movie soundtracks should love it. I have a work colleague who is such a person, and maybe I'll try to buy this symphony for her as a Christmas gift - she would definitely enjoy it...

A bad apology is just further insult.

[Dax]

Go to this site for realised versions of stuff you would never otherwise have the chance to hear. For starters, there's John White's Symphony for organ and 6 tubas. If that's not enough, there's the whole of Sorabji's Jami Symphony and lots of other delights too.

http://www.davetubaking.com/2.html

[Sid]

A bad apology is just further insult.

It was not meant as an "apology" but more as a qualification...

[Mirror Image]

Music is not a commodity with a "sell by" date.     It either stands on its own or it doesn't, and for me the music of both of these composers very much does.

This is one thing I disagree with Sid about. I think music should be enjoyed for what it is, not what it should or could be. There's a lot of music I can't stand and I don't rate Moeran's symphony that high, but I don't see any reason to degrade the music. Obviously, time and effort went into the work and, like I said, while I don't enjoy the work that much, I can at least appreciate the craft for what it is.

[Luke]

Go to this site for realised versions of stuff you would never otherwise have the chance to hear. For starters, there's John White's Symphony for organ and 6 tubas. If that's not enough, there's the whole of Sorabji's Jami Symphony and lots of other delights too.

http://www.davetubaking.com/2.html

Yes - it's lots of fun...but I went there this morning and either that site or the Sorabji site it links to infected my computer with an almighty virus which has deleted all my personal files, by the look of it. New computer bought already - no time to faff around. So - beware!

[Brian]

 
Oh my gosh Luke!
That has me terrified to go to any websites I haven't been to before. I'm so sorry.

[DavidRoss]

Yes - it's lots of fun...but I went there this morning and either that site or the Sorabji site it links to infected my computer with an almighty virus which has deleted all my personal files, by the look of it. New computer bought already - no time to faff around. So - beware!

Ack!    Thanks for the reminder to back up all important files elsewhere!

[DavidW]

Yes - it's lots of fun...but I went there this morning and either that site or the Sorabji site it links to infected my computer with an almighty virus which has deleted all my personal files, by the look of it. New computer bought already - no time to faff around. So - beware!

Whenever you find "free" downloads, there is no such thing as free.  Ever go to mediafire and some download links take longer than others?  During that time it's trying to install spyware on your pc.  I know because norton tells me and stops it.  I only download from trusted forumites, and even then delete after I've listened.  The only keepers are what I paid for from amazon or itunes, or ripped from cds.

If you really have to download a bunch of music, instead of use a streaming service or a pay site... or run a virtual desktop to do it so it can't touch your pc.  Or use a secure browser like IE that has sub-user access while you're using it.  I personally would just avoid those dowloads altogether.

[karlhenning]

Ouch, Luke!

[Luke]

Whenever you find "free" downloads, there is no such thing as free.  Ever go to mediafire and some download links take longer than others?  During that time it's trying to install spyware on your pc.  I know because norton tells me and stops it.  I only download from trusted forumites, and even then delete after I've listened.  The only keepers are what I paid for from amazon or itunes, or ripped from cds.

If you really have to download a bunch of music, instead of use a streaming service or a pay site... or run a virtual desktop to do it so it can't touch your pc.  Or use a secure browser like IE that has sub-user access while you're using it.  I personally would just avoid those dowloads altogether.

Thanks, guys. I suppose the trouble prompted me to get a new laptop, which I'd been putting off doing, so maybe it was better in the long run! I had/have a whole bunch of school reports to write, and I couldn't risk faffing around waiting for the other one to be fixed.

but as it turned out, with a little perseverance I was able to fix it myself, so now I have two machines.   Though the old one hasn't fully recovered, I must say, and I'm on the new one now....

[springrite]

Ack!    Thanks for the reminder to back up all important files elsewhere!

We've read so much about composers' works lost forver because of fire, thief, flood, war, etc. Maybe in the year 2060, we will read in a composer biography about his losing some of his early works due to ... well, Luke, even your loss is a sign of progress!

[DavidW]

Thanks, guys. I suppose the trouble prompted me to get a new laptop, which I'd been putting off doing, so maybe it was better in the long run! I had/have a whole bunch of school reports to write, and I couldn't risk faffing around waiting for the other one to be fixed.

but as it turned out, with a little perseverance I was able to fix it myself, so now I have two machines.   Though the old one hasn't fully recovered, I must say, and I'm on the new one now....

Awesome Luke!  MN Dave, me and you have all bought new laptops!