English Pastoralism

[Irons]

Herbert Howells' (a close namesake; not Herbert I hasten to add!) "In Gloucestershire" is a very fine example of English pastoralism. It must be difficult to depict the English countryside with a string quartet and without the colour of instruments of an orchestra. Howells achieves this splendidly, the only similar SQ I can think of is Delius (Late Swallows).

[Biffo]

I listen to Nos 2, 3 & 5  the most and Nos 1, 8 & 9 the least with Nos 4, 6 & 7 somewhere in the middle. I probably, over the years, have listened to Job (with its pastoral episodes) as often any of the symphonies.

[Ghost of Baron Scarpia]

Herbert Howells' (a close namesake; not Herbert I hasten to add!) "In Gloucestershire" is a very fine example of English pastoralism. It must be difficult to depict the English countryside with a string quartet and without the colour of instruments of an orchestra. Howells achieves this splendidly, the only similar SQ I can think of is Delius (Late Swallows).

My last exposure to Howells was some of his music for string orchestra, which I was sort of luke-warm to. I should try that string quartet.

[Irons]

My last exposure to Howells was some of his music for string orchestra, which I was sort of luke-warm to. I should try that string quartet.

I think I know the piece you are referring to. I was not over-keen either. Howells composed much choral music later in life which is not my thing really. I was not expecting too much from "In Gloucestershire" (see Purchases Today thread) as circumstances did not bode well. An early work (1916) of which Howells managed to lose the parts on a train journey! There have been numerous versions since but none performed. In 1930 the work stood "in manuscript, with no slow movement and an illegible finale". Instead of a dogs dinner I was expecting, I listened to a highly coherent string quartet very well performed and recorded. Recommended.

[Ghost of Baron Scarpia]

Had to check my notes to refresh my memory.

The concerto for string orchestra actually made a very good impression, particularly for a poignant central slow movement. The Elegy for Viola and orchestra likewise made a good impression. (Hickox recording on Chandos) The Serenade and First Suite for Strings were disappointments, and I the second piano concerto was likewise so-so.

I wouldn't say these pieces are overtly "pastoral" but the whole tradition of 20th century English music for string orchestra (with the prevalence of modal writing and dissonance in a contrapuntal context) seems to be i the same tradition.

I think my favorite piece by Howells may be the Sonata for Clarinet and Piano (Thea King with Clifford Benson on Hyperion).

[Irons]

Review by John France here  http://www.musicweb-international.com/classrev/2001/May01/Howells_Dyson.htm

[Irons]

Sometimes called "the English Hindemith" I was both surprised and delighted to discover a recording of Arnold Cooke's "The Seamew", a work that is most pastoral in nature. There are similarities with Peter Warlock's wonderful "The Curlew". Both use the bird of the title as a symbol for deep emotions. Also both are written for voice and augmented string quartet.

The work is made up by three songs, two short, "The Swallows" and "The Empty Cage" either side of the much longer "The Seamew" The first verse of the middle movement gives a flavour of the work -

I heard the seamew's plaintive cry,
And shuddered, scarcely knowing why.
How strange the trick's that memory plays
When we invoke our distant days!
A scent, a sound, a touch, a tear,
They fill the heart with joy or fear.
The past is broidered on the mind
As on some fine-spun silken blind. 

Not great poetry by any stretch but a meaningful setting for Cooke's music.

The Meridian recording is outstanding. "Recorded at Eltham College, London, using a Kudelski Nagra 4S tape recorder, an AKG C24 Microphone and Agfa PEM 468 magnetic tape".

[Christo]

Sometimes called "the English Hindemith"

As an admirer of Arnold Cooke's music, I'm always a bit ambivalent about this comparison with Hindemith: in the heart of Cooke's music you'll always find a lyricism that makes her anything but businesslike or abstract. Didn't know about this recording of the 'Seamew' (nor about the existence of the Saxon word "mew" for gull, for that matter, though it's obviously the same word as "Möwe" in German or "meeuw" in Dutch  ). 

[vandermolen]

Herbert Howells' (a close namesake; not Herbert I hasten to add!) "In Gloucestershire" is a very fine example of English pastoralism. It must be difficult to depict the English countryside with a string quartet and without the colour of instruments of an orchestra. Howells achieves this splendidly, the only similar SQ I can think of is Delius (Late Swallows).

I've nearly addressed you as 'Jeremy' on a couple of occasions! 

Hymnus Paradisi is one of my all-time favourite works and much as I enjoy his other music it has not made a great impression on me.

[Irons]

I've nearly addressed you as 'Jeremy' on a couple of occasions! 

Hymnus Paradisi is one of my all-time favourite works and much as I enjoy his other music it has not made a great impression on me.

Call me what you like, Jeffrey. My family and close friends have called me "Lol" for ever. As you can imagine in the social media age we now live in this moniker has led to some confusion. On the other hand........

[Irons]

As an admirer of Arnold Cooke's music, I'm always a bit ambivalent about this comparison with Hindemith: in the heart of Cooke's music you'll always find a lyricism that makes her anything but businesslike or abstract. Didn't know about this recording of the 'Seamew' (nor about the existence of the Saxon word "mew" for gull, for that matter, though it's obviously the same word as "Möwe" in German or "meeuw" in Dutch  ). 

Excellent. The only other recording I have by Cooke is a Lyrita of 3rd Symphony coupled with the suite of Jabez and the Devil. Thanks for explanation of source of "seamew". All the notes inform is that "Seamew" is a generic term for a seabird.

[vandermolen]

Call me what you like, Jeffrey. My family and close friends have called me "Lol" for ever. As you can imagine in the social media age we now live in this moniker has led to some confusion. On the other hand........

OT

LOL Lol 
I like the Herman Hesse quote as well. Narziss and Goldmund was an influential book in my student days. I've always admired his writings.

[Christo]

Excellent. The only other recording I have by Cooke is a Lyrita of 3rd Symphony coupled with the suite of Jabez and the Devil. Thanks for explanation of source of "seamew". All the notes inform is that "Seamew" is a generic term for a seabird.

The first one will be the 'old' Lyrita LP; on CD the coupling is Symphony No. 1 with the Jabez and the Devil Suite, Symphony No. 3 has been coupled with Havergal Brian's 6th and 16th symphonies (I love both CD's).
As to "mew" meaning gull or seabird in general: both options could be equally valid; Amsterdam slang distinguishes between two types of birds only: sèssies and drèfsèssies (roughly translated as birdies and floating-birdies). 

[Irons]

OT

LOL Lol 
I like the Herman Hesse quote as well. Narziss and Goldmund was an influential book in my student days. I've always admired his writings.

I would like to have used the complete quote but, of course, not enough room: At once, to my indescribable astonishment and horror, the devilish metal funnel spat out, without more ado, its mixture of bronchial slime and chewed rubber; that noise that possessors of the gramophone and radio sets are prevailed upon to call music. And behind the slime and the croaking there was, sure enough, like an old master beneath a layer of dirt, the noble outline of that divine music.

The sort of thing that an enthusiastic CD collector would say about the humble LP.

[relm1]

What would you say is the last (or one of the last) works of the English Pastoral style?  I assume no one writes this way now, right?  It's pretty much between the great wars.  Sometimes I'll hear it in a film but in that case it's a period film evoking a time and place.

[Biffo]

What would you say is the last (or one of the last) works of the English Pastoral style?  I assume no one writes this way now, right?  It's pretty much between the great wars. Sometimes I'll hear it in a film but in that case it's a period film evoking a time and place.

I think you have answered your own question. It is still being produced as film music.

I was tempted to say Howells and Hadley were the last gasp - not sure how much orchestral music Howells wrote post-war.

I have a few pieces in my collection that might qualify. Tarn Hows by Maurice Johnstone written in 1949; The Path across the Moors by Arthur Butterworth (1958) but not much else comes to mind. Britten took an interest in folk music but I don't think he used it in his later works.

[vandermolen]

What would you say is the last (or one of the last) works of the English Pastoral style?  I assume no one writes this way now, right?  It's pretty much between the great wars.  Sometimes I'll hear it in a film but in that case it's a period film evoking a time and place.

Not sure if this is addressed to me but the slow movement 'Cavatina' of Vaughan Williams's 8th Symphony comes to mind (mid 1950s). Here it is in an unusual Soviet performance:
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=EGUDglGA0L4

Oh, this crossed with Biffo's post and I agree with his comments as well.

[relm1]

Not sure if this is addressed to me but the slow movement 'Cavatina' of Vaughan Williams's 8th Symphony comes to mind (mid 1950s). Here it is in an unusual Soviet performance:
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=EGUDglGA0L4

Oh, this crossed with Biffo's post and I agree with his comments as well.

I sort of think of RVW as the poster child/father of English Pastoralism but this isn't so much because he first/last did it but because he exemplifies what it is.  An English version of French impressionism of sorts.  RVW having French roots is very important to his sound though he made it individual. I think English Pastoralism is English Impressionism.  Not quite French but has some of the same characteristics.  I do believe Impressionism influence extends to today but not quite sure about English Pastoralism.

[Irons]

I sort of think of RVW as the poster child/father of English Pastoralism but this isn't so much because he first/last did it but because he exemplifies what it is.  An English version of French impressionism of sorts.  RVW having French roots is very important to his sound though he made it individual. I think English Pastoralism is English Impressionism.  Not quite French but has some of the same characteristics.  I do believe Impressionism influence extends to today but not quite sure about English Pastoralism.

A good summery well put. I agree with much you say including the last sentence. I do need to be convinced that English Pastoralism is a form of French Impressionism though. As in all music there is some cross-pollination but I think they originated from a different source and stand apart.   

[vandermolen]

I sort of think of RVW as the poster child/father of English Pastoralism but this isn't so much because he first/last did it but because he exemplifies what it is.  An English version of French impressionism of sorts.  RVW having French roots is very important to his sound though he made it individual. I think English Pastoralism is English Impressionism.  Not quite French but has some of the same characteristics.  I do believe Impressionism influence extends to today but not quite sure about English Pastoralism.

Very interesting point as is Irons's post responding to it. I'll have to give some thought to the difference, if one exists, between 'Pastoralism' and 'Impressionism' in the context of English music.