Do you like the Symphonies of Bax?

[foxandpeng]

I've spent most of today listening to Bax symphonies as part of my ongoing revisitation and fresh discovery of British symphonies.

As usual, I want to say thanks to everyone who loves and doesn't massively appreciate Bax. It's a great education to be here. I love his sound world and am delighted to be listening with your help. I've also benefitted greatly from the Bax Society website while listening.

[Wanderer]

I don't dislike them, but I don't like them, either. I think his tone poems are more successful, even though I don't think very highly of them, either. What's the word for that, positive indifference? I do think they make for very fine background music once in a while.

[Roasted Swan]

Ouch!  Background music?  We'll have to agree to disagree there... Bax's soundworld, harmony and sometimes elusive use of form is much to complex to be relagated to the world of the partially ignored.  I can get that he is a bit of a marmite composer - as is Delius (another composer I personally adore).  But once you get his motivation and very individual style then there is magic to be found (and I'd say exactly the same about Delius too!)  If you've checked the Symphonies then do try Spring Fire - an early masterpiece quite different from his later more brooding music.

[vandermolen]

I love all the symphonies, including the 'weaker' ones (4 and 7).
I owe this forum thanks for introducing me to the magnificent Piano Quintet.
I also like Tintagel, Christmas Eve, Nympholept, Paen, Festival Overture, Symphonic Variations, Northern Ballad No.1 and November Woods. I'm less keen on the Violin and Cello Concerto.

[Symphonic Addict]

Bax's symphonies are some of the most atmospheric, magical, colourful and epic symphonies I know. That epic element of the music appeals to me hugely. I've come to appreciate them very much over the years. As Jeffrey pointed out, I also find Nos. 4 and 7 like weaker, but the other five are just splendid. These works grow on you with repeated listens. My favorites are 6, 1 and 3, then 5 and 2, and finally 4 and 7.

[relm1]

Bax's symphonies are some of the most atmospheric, magical, colourful and epic symphonies I know. That epic element of the music appeals to me hugely. I've come to appreciate them very much over the years. As Jeffrey pointed out, I also find Nos. 4 and 7 like weaker, but the other five are just splendid. These works grow on you with repeated listens. My favorites are 6, 1 and 3, then 5 and 2, and finally 4 and 7.

Can you define "epic" more specifically?  I am curious exactly how you mean that in reference to Bax.  For example, you might mean duration or volume or something - what exactly are you saying with that subjective description?

[Symphonic Addict]

Can you define "epic" more specifically?  I am curious exactly how you mean that in reference to Bax.  For example, you might mean duration or volume or something - what exactly are you saying with that subjective description?

I feel "epicness" in many of their themes, melodies, in the big climaxes, in the passages where there is struggle, in the grandeur of the music itself. These works often depict something legendary and heroic to me, and I sum it up like epic. Other works that give me that feel of epic are Langgaard's Symphony No. 1 and Glière's Symphony No. 3.

[vandermolen]

I also find a 'legendary' quality in much of the music. The music is often brooding and troubled, which I find appealing. I've recently come to appreciate Symphony No.6 more. I much prefer the Lloyd-Jones recording to the rather boxed-in one by Del Mar on Lyrita (IMO the only disappointing Lyrita recording - the others would all be top choices for me). As I said I love all the symphonies - if I had to do a league table it would be: 5,3,7,4,6,2,1.

[71 dB]

I've recently come to appreciate Symphony No.6 more. I much prefer the Lloyd-Jones recording...

That's what I have and Symphony No. 6 is the Bax symphony I care about most.

[relm1]

I feel "epicness" in many of their themes, melodies, in the big climaxes, in the passages where there is struggle, in the grandeur of the music itself. These works often depict something legendary and heroic to me, and I sum it up like epic. Other works that give me that feel of epic are Langgaard's Symphony No. 1 and Glière's Symphony No. 3.

Would you consider this as epic?  Or not quite because it doesn't have a legendary or quality to it?
https://youtu.be/qezaOJcWVXs?t=1945

[DavidW]

Tintagel and the sixth symphony are top shelf imo.

[flyingdutchman]

Like his tone poems better. Think Bax does better in shorter forms.

[Symphonic Addict]

Would you consider this as epic?  Or not quite because it doesn't have a legendary or quality to it?
https://youtu.be/qezaOJcWVXs?t=1945

No, I don't feel that epic element in Arnold's 5th. Probably that final passage tends to be closer to the term, but overall the symphony doesn't give me that perception. Another example I can bring here is Sibelius's 1st Symphony, or Atterberg's 1st Symphony. I feel those works epic. Or also Walton's 1st Symphony. Obviously this is my very personal opinion and bias.

[vandermolen]

That's what I have and Symphony No. 6 is the Bax symphony I care about most.

I also like the Bryden Thomson recording.

[Mountain Goat]

I remember enjoying his Piano Quintet many years ago (on a Chandos cassette a friend lent me, which should tell you how long ago it was!) and kept meaning to explore more of his music, especially the symphonies, but like with so many things just never got around to it. Maybe now is the time! I'm finding myself tempted by the Handley box set on Chandos... would the "Baxians" (is that the correct word?!) on here recommend these recordings?

[vandermolen]

I remember enjoying his Piano Quintet many years ago (on a Chandos cassette a friend lent me, which should tell you how long ago it was!) and kept meaning to explore more of his music, especially the symphonies, but like with so many things just never got around to it. Maybe now is the time! I'm finding myself tempted by the Handley box set on Chandos... would the "Baxians" (is that the correct word?!) on here recommend these recordings?

Hello Mountain Goat (nice user name - is that Havergal Brian in the photo?) My own view is that Handley's cycle is good but nothing special. Having said that, I've see Symphony No.3 recommended as a top choice. So, if the price is right I don't think that you'll be disappointed. Others may well rate the set more highly. I prefer the Lloyd-Jones and Bryden Thomson sets, as well as most of the individual Lyrita recordings.

[Sergeant Rock]

Maybe now is the time! I'm finding myself tempted by the Handley box set on Chandos... would the "Baxians" (is that the correct word?!) on here recommend these recordings?

I'm one of the few who like the Handley cycle. I tried for years to get into the Bax symphonies. Then I purchased the Handley box...and it finally clicked. I think it was due mainly to Handley's swifter tempos which helped me get through Bax's often meandering style. So yes, I recommend it...although I'll get little support here.

Sarge

[Mountain Goat]

Hello Mountain Goat (nice user name - is that Havergal Brian in the photo?) My own view is that Handley's cycle is good but nothing special. Having said that, I've see Symphony No.3 recommended as a top choice. So, if the price is right I don't think that you'll be disappointed. Others may well rate the set more highly. I prefer the Lloyd-Jones and Bryden Thomson sets, as well as most of the individual Lyrita recordings.

Hi Vandermolen, thanks for you reply! That is indeed Havergal Brian, who I've been somewhat obsessed with ever since being completely blown away by the Gothic Symphony at the 2011 Proms.

I had my suspicions about the Handley set as hardly anyone has mentioned it in this thread, but the price is indeed right, although I'm also considering the Naxos recordings even though I would need to get these individually. There's a box set of Bryden Thomson's recordings, also on Chandos, but at higher cost and with the 4th symphony split between 2 CDs - not necessarily a deal-breaker but I consider this a major disadvantage!

[Mountain Goat]

I'm one of the few who like the Handley cycle. I tried for years to get into the Bax symphonies. Then I purchased the Handley box...and it finally clicked. I think it was due mainly to Handley's swifter tempos which helped me get through Bax's often meandering style. So yes, I recommend it...although I'll get little support here.

Sarge

Thanks for your reply! It just goes to show that it's all down to personal taste, there will never be a "definitive" recording. I'll probably listen to samples of both Handley and Lloyd-Jones (Naxos) before actually buying anything, but I suspect I'll end up going with Handley, the price + the convenience of a single box set is just too tempting!

[vandermolen]

Hi Vandermolen, thanks for you reply! That is indeed Havergal Brian, who I've been somewhat obsessed with ever since being completely blown away by the Gothic Symphony at the 2011 Proms.

I had my suspicions about the Handley set as hardly anyone has mentioned it in this thread, but the price is indeed right, although I'm also considering the Naxos recordings even though I would need to get these individually. There's a box set of Bryden Thomson's recordings, also on Chandos, but at higher cost and with the 4th symphony split between 2 CDs - not necessarily a deal-breaker but I consider this a major disadvantage!

My pleasure. I'm sure that you'll enjoy the Handley set and in view of Sarge's comments I feel that I need to hear the box set again myself. Not only was I at the 2011 performance of the Gothic Symphony, where I had the pleasure of meeting, in the pub, some other members of this forum, but I was also at the 1980 performance conducted by Ole Schmidt, which was the first time that I heard the work.