Ruth Gipps (1921-99)

Started by Maestro267, July 21, 2018, 07:38:52 AM

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Maestro267

Really thrilled that this thread has generated quite a lot of discussion.

Re. Butterworth 1: That is one of my favourite new discoveries from the BSC box.

vandermolen

Quote from: Biffo on July 26, 2018, 05:56:23 AM
There is a recording of Butterworth's Symphony No 1 from Barbirolli and the Halle (of which Butterworth was a member). It is in mono and I only have it as a mp3 download but it is considerably more dramatic than Bostock's performance. I am not sure if it is still available and can't remember where I got it from except that I bought it coupled with Barbirolli conducting RVW4.

The Dutton 2 CD set that I was rambling on about contains the excellent Barbirolli performance of Arthur Butterworth's Symphony 1. It is really a super collection:
[asin]B001SGYCEA[/asin]
"Courage is going from failure to failure without losing enthusiasm" (Churchill).

'The test of a work of art is, in the end, our affection for it, not our ability to explain why it is good' (Stanley Kubrick).

vandermolen

Quote from: Maestro267 on July 26, 2018, 10:47:05 AM
Really thrilled that this thread has generated quite a lot of discussion.

Re. Butterworth 1: That is one of my favourite new discoveries from the BSC box.

That's nice! When the new Ruth Gipps CD finally appears hopefully there will be even more discussion.
I have rarely anticipated a new release with such excitement.
:)
"Courage is going from failure to failure without losing enthusiasm" (Churchill).

'The test of a work of art is, in the end, our affection for it, not our ability to explain why it is good' (Stanley Kubrick).

Oates



I rate Ruth Gipps' 3rd Symphony highly as well and I hope this get a decent recording some day. I've heard this version

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1ZiLsTKu01Q

The 'big tune' here is a beautiful and haunting theme that starts at 12:50. This section was extracted in a version for solo piano "Theme and Variations for Piano" which has been recorded by Angela Brownridge here (along with Gipps' Piano Concerto) for Cameo Classics.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/British-Composers-Premiere-Collections-Vol/dp/B00IJZIFLO/ref=sr_1_3?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1532643342&sr=1-3&keywords=Cameo+Classics


calyptorhynchus

I think her symphonies got better and better. We could certainly do with good recordings of ss 3-5, the off air ones are poor (3), bad (4), and awful (5).
>:(
'Many men are melancholy by hearing music, but it is a pleasing melancholy that it causeth.' Robert Burton

vandermolen

Quote from: Oates on July 26, 2018, 02:16:45 PM

I rate Ruth Gipps' 3rd Symphony highly as well and I hope this get a decent recording some day. I've heard this version

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1ZiLsTKu01Q

The 'big tune' here is a beautiful and haunting theme that starts at 12:50. This section was extracted in a version for solo piano "Theme and Variations for Piano" which has been recorded by Angela Brownridge here (along with Gipps' Piano Concerto) for Cameo Classics.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/British-Composers-Premiere-Collections-Vol/dp/B00IJZIFLO/ref=sr_1_3?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1532643342&sr=1-3&keywords=Cameo+Classics

Never heard the Third before. Let's hope that Rumon Gamba records it but mustn't be greedy.
"Courage is going from failure to failure without losing enthusiasm" (Churchill).

'The test of a work of art is, in the end, our affection for it, not our ability to explain why it is good' (Stanley Kubrick).

Biffo

The Chandos album of Symphonies 2 & 4 etc (Gamba/BBC NOW) is now available to download. Those who want a shiny disc have to wait until September. I have gone for a lossless download..

calyptorhynchus

I downloaded just the Symphony No 4. In the modern recordibg you can appreciate how wonderful it is.
Hope Chandos come up with the Symphonies 3 & 5 next.
'Many men are melancholy by hearing music, but it is a pleasing melancholy that it causeth.' Robert Burton

vandermolen

Quote from: Biffo on August 04, 2018, 03:27:46 AM
The Chandos album of Symphonies 2 & 4 etc (Gamba/BBC NOW) is now available to download. Those who want a shiny disc have to wait until September. I have gone for a lossless download..
Excellent! Although I'm waiting for the shiny disc!
8)
"Courage is going from failure to failure without losing enthusiasm" (Churchill).

'The test of a work of art is, in the end, our affection for it, not our ability to explain why it is good' (Stanley Kubrick).

Christo

Quote from: vandermolen on August 05, 2018, 02:52:07 AM
Excellent! Although I'm waiting for the shiny disc!
8)
Nothing on Spotify yet.  ::)
... music is not only an 'entertainment', nor a mere luxury, but a necessity of the spiritual if not of the physical life, an opening of those magic casements through which we can catch a glimpse of that country where ultimate reality will be found.    RVW, 1948

Oates

Quote from: vandermolen on August 05, 2018, 02:52:07 AM
Excellent! Although I'm waiting for the shiny disc!
8)

Same here. I've waited 45 years for a top grade recording of the 4th Symphony, another couple of weeks now won't hurt!

Looking through the list of Gipps' 'selelcted works' on Wiki, there's some very tantalising titles in there. It looks like a rich seam to be mined...Items in bold are the only ones currently on CD (including the new Chandos) as far as I can tell.

Orchestra

    Variations on Byrds's "Non nobis", for small orchestra, Op. 7 (1942)
    Knight in Armour, tone poem, Op. 8 (1942)
    Sea Nymph, ballet for small orchestra (or for two pianos), Op. 14 (1941 ?)
    Symphony No. 1 in F minor, Op. 22 (1942)
    Death on a Pale Horse, tone poem, Op. 25 (1943)
    Chanticleer Overture, Op. 28 (1944)
    The Chinese Cabinet Suite for orchestra, Op. 29 (1945)
    Symphony No. 2 (in One Movement), Op. 30 (1945)
    Mahomet and the Cat, Op. 32 (1947)
    Song for orchestra, Op. 33 (1948)
    Cringlemire Garden, Impression for String Orchestra, Op. 39 (1952)
    Coronation Procession for orchestra, Op. 41 (1953)
    Kensington Garden Suite, Op. 2, orchestral version (1953 ; orig. for oboe and piano, 1938)
    Pageant Overture The Rainbow, Op. 44 (1954)
    Symphony No. 3, Op. 57 (1965)
    Symphony No. 4, Op. 61 (1972)
    Symphony No. 5, Op. 64 (1982)
    Ambarvalia for small orchestra, Op. 70 (1988)

Concertante

    Concerto for Clarinet and Orchestra, Op. 9 (1940)
    Jane Grey, Fantasy for Viola and String Orchestra (or piano), Op. 15 (1940)
    Concerto for Oboe and Orchestra in D minor, Op. 20 (1941, premiered by the Modern Symphony Orchestra under Arthur Dennington in the 1941/42 season)
    Concerto for Violin and Orchestra in B flat major, Op. 24 (1943, premiered on 05.02.1944 with the Modern Symphony Orchestra conducted by Arthur Dennington and the composer's brother Ernest as soloist)[3]
    Concerto for Piano and Orchestra in G minor, Op. 34 (1948)
    Concerto for Violin, Viola and Small Orchestra, Op. 49 (1957)
    Concerto for Horn and Orchestra, Op. 58 (1968)
    Leviathan for Contra-Bassoon and Chamber Orchestra, Op. 59 (1969)
    Introduction and Carol: The Ox and the Ass for Double Bass and Chamber Orchestra, Op. 71 (1988)
    Threnody for English Horn and Piano, Op. 74, version for English Horn, Strings and Harp (1990)

Chamber Music

    Kensington Garden Suite for Oboe and Piano, Op. 2 (1938)
    Sea-Shore Suite for Oboe and Piano, Op. 3b (1939)
    Chamois for 2 Violins and Piano, Op. 3c (1939)
    Sonata No.1 for Oboe and Piano in G minor, Op. 5 (1939)
    The Kelpie Of Corrievreckan for Clarinet and Piano, Op. 5b (1939)
    Pixie Caravan for Flute and Piano (1939)
    Rowan for Flute and Piano (1940)
    Trio for Oboe, Clarinet and Piano, Op. 10 (1940)
    The Piper of Dreams for Oboe Solo, Op. 12b (1940)
    Sea-Weed Song for English Horn and Piano, Op. 12c (1940)
    Suite for 2 Violins, Op. 12d (1940)
    Elephant God for Clarinet and Percussion, Op. 12e (1940)
    Sabrina, String Quartet in one movement, Op. 13 (1940)
    Quintet for Oboe, Clarinet, Violin, Viola and Cello, Op. 16 (1941)
    Brocade, Piano Quartet, Op. 17 (1941)
    Rhapsody in E♭ for Clarinet Quintet, Op. 23 (1942)
    Rhapsody for Violin and Piano, Op. 27a (1943)
    Scherzo: The Three Billy Goats Gruff for Oboe, Horn, and Bassoon, Op. 27b
    Sonata for Violin and Piano, Op. 42 (1954)
    Sonata for Clarinet and Piano, Op. 45 (1955)
    Lyric Fantasy for Viola and Piano, Op. 46 (1955)
    String Quartet, Op. 47 (1956)
    Evocation for Violin and Piano, Op. 48 (1956)
    Prelude for Bass Clarinet Solo (or B♭ Clarinet), Op. 51 (1958)
    Seascape for 2 Flutes, Oboe, English Horn, 2 Clarinets, 2 Bassoons and 2 Horns, Op. 53 (1958)
    A Tarradiddle for 2 Horns, Op. 54 (1959)
    Sonatina for Horn and Piano, Op. 56 (1960)
    Triton for Horn and Piano, Op. 60 (1970)
    Sonata for Cello and Piano, Op. 63 (1978)
    Octet for 2 Oboes, 2 Clarinets, 2 Bassoons and 2 Horns, Op. 65 (1983)
    Sonata No. 2 for Oboe and Piano, Op. 66 (1985)
    The Saint Francis Window for Alto Flute and Piano, Op. 67 (1986)
    The Riders of Rohan for Trombone and Piano (1987)
    Scherzo and Adagio for Cello Solo, Op. 68 (1987)
    Sinfonietta for 10 Winds and Percussion, Op. 73 (1989)
    Threnody for English Horn and Piano (or Organ), Op. 74 (1990)
    The Pony Cart for Flute, Horn and Piano, Op. 75 (1990)
    A Wealden Suite, Quartet for E♭, B♭, A and Bass Clarinets, Op. 76 (1991)
    Cool Running Water for Bass Flute and Piano, Op. 77 (1991)
    Pan and Apollo for 2 Oboes, English Horn and Harp, Op. 78 (1992)
    Sonata for Alto Trombone (or Horn) and Piano, Op. 80 (1995)

Piano

    The Fairy Shoemaker (1929)
    Sea Nymph, ballet for small orchestra (or for two pianos), Op. 14 (1941 ?)
    Conversation for 2 Pianos, Op. 36 (1950)
    Theme and Variations, Op. 57a (1965)
    Opalescence, Op. 72 (1989)

Choral

    Mazeppa's Ride for Female Chorus and Orchestra, Op. 1
    The Cat, Cantata for Alto, Baritone, Double Mixed Chorus and Orchestra, Op. 32 (1947)
    Goblin Market for 2 Sopranos, Female Chorus and String Orchestra (or Piano), Op. 40 (1953)
    An Easter Carol for Soprano, Mixed Chorus and Piano or Organ, Op. 52 (1958)
    Magnificat and Nunc dimittis for Mixed Chorus and Organ, Op. 55 (1959)
    Gloria in excelsis for Unison Chorus and Organ, Op. 62 (1977)
    A Service for Holy Communion for Mixed Chorus and Organ, Op. 62a (1974)

Vocal

    Four Baritone Songs for Baritone and Piano, Op. 4b (1939)
    Heaven for High Voice and Piano (1939)
    Four Songs of Youth for Tenor and Piano (1940)
    Two Songs for Soprano and Piano, Op. 11 (1940)
    Rhapsody for Wordless Soprano and Small Orchestra, Op. 18
    Ducks for Soprano, Flute, Cello and Piano, Op. 19 (1941)
    The Song of the Narcissus for Soprano and Piano, Op. 37 (1951)
    Three Incantations for Soprano and Harp, Op. 50 (1957)
    The Lady of the Lambs for Soprano and Wind Quintet, Op. 79 (1992)

As a footnote maybe we should also mention this item: Variations On A Theme Of Ruth Gipps by Malcolm Arnold.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Arnold-M-Concerto-Players-Variations/dp/B001MV59M0/ref=sr_1_fkmr1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1533544682&sr=8-1-fkmr1&keywords=malcolm+arnold+theme+on+ruth+gipps


The new erato

Quote from: Oates on August 06, 2018, 12:40:24 AMDucks for Soprano, Flute, Cello and Piano, Op. 19 (1941)

Didn't know she was a quack?   ;)

Biffo

I have just revisited the Bostock recording of Symphony No 2 and find it preferable to Gamba; it is (for me) more characterful and incisive. Symphony No 4 is completely new to me and I have yet to hear it.

vandermolen

#53
Quote from: Oates on August 06, 2018, 12:40:24 AM
Same here. I've waited 45 years for a top grade recording of the 4th Symphony, another couple of weeks now won't hurt!

Looking through the list of Gipps' 'selelcted works' on Wiki, there's some very tantalising titles in there. It looks like a rich seam to be mined...Items in bold are the only ones currently on CD (including the new Chandos) as far as I can tell.

Orchestra

    Variations on Byrds's "Non nobis", for small orchestra, Op. 7 (1942)
    Knight in Armour, tone poem, Op. 8 (1942)
    Sea Nymph, ballet for small orchestra (or for two pianos), Op. 14 (1941 ?)
    Symphony No. 1 in F minor, Op. 22 (1942)
    Death on a Pale Horse, tone poem, Op. 25 (1943)
    Chanticleer Overture, Op. 28 (1944)
    The Chinese Cabinet Suite for orchestra, Op. 29 (1945)
    Symphony No. 2 (in One Movement), Op. 30 (1945)
    Mahomet and the Cat, Op. 32 (1947)
    Song for orchestra, Op. 33 (1948)
    Cringlemire Garden, Impression for String Orchestra, Op. 39 (1952)
    Coronation Procession for orchestra, Op. 41 (1953)
    Kensington Garden Suite, Op. 2, orchestral version (1953 ; orig. for oboe and piano, 1938)
    Pageant Overture The Rainbow, Op. 44 (1954)
    Symphony No. 3, Op. 57 (1965)
    Symphony No. 4, Op. 61 (1972)
    Symphony No. 5, Op. 64 (1982)
    Ambarvalia for small orchestra, Op. 70 (1988)

Concertante

    Concerto for Clarinet and Orchestra, Op. 9 (1940)
    Jane Grey, Fantasy for Viola and String Orchestra (or piano), Op. 15 (1940)
    Concerto for Oboe and Orchestra in D minor, Op. 20 (1941, premiered by the Modern Symphony Orchestra under Arthur Dennington in the 1941/42 season)
    Concerto for Violin and Orchestra in B flat major, Op. 24 (1943, premiered on 05.02.1944 with the Modern Symphony Orchestra conducted by Arthur Dennington and the composer's brother Ernest as soloist)[3]
    Concerto for Piano and Orchestra in G minor, Op. 34 (1948)
    Concerto for Violin, Viola and Small Orchestra, Op. 49 (1957)
    Concerto for Horn and Orchestra, Op. 58 (1968)
    Leviathan for Contra-Bassoon and Chamber Orchestra, Op. 59 (1969)
    Introduction and Carol: The Ox and the Ass for Double Bass and Chamber Orchestra, Op. 71 (1988)
    Threnody for English Horn and Piano, Op. 74, version for English Horn, Strings and Harp (1990)

Chamber Music

    Kensington Garden Suite for Oboe and Piano, Op. 2 (1938)
    Sea-Shore Suite for Oboe and Piano, Op. 3b (1939)
    Chamois for 2 Violins and Piano, Op. 3c (1939)
    Sonata No.1 for Oboe and Piano in G minor, Op. 5 (1939)
    The Kelpie Of Corrievreckan for Clarinet and Piano, Op. 5b (1939)
    Pixie Caravan for Flute and Piano (1939)
    Rowan for Flute and Piano (1940)
    Trio for Oboe, Clarinet and Piano, Op. 10 (1940)
    The Piper of Dreams for Oboe Solo, Op. 12b (1940)
    Sea-Weed Song for English Horn and Piano, Op. 12c (1940)
    Suite for 2 Violins, Op. 12d (1940)
    Elephant God for Clarinet and Percussion, Op. 12e (1940)
    Sabrina, String Quartet in one movement, Op. 13 (1940)
    Quintet for Oboe, Clarinet, Violin, Viola and Cello, Op. 16 (1941)
    Brocade, Piano Quartet, Op. 17 (1941)
    Rhapsody in E♭ for Clarinet Quintet, Op. 23 (1942)
    Rhapsody for Violin and Piano, Op. 27a (1943)
    Scherzo: The Three Billy Goats Gruff for Oboe, Horn, and Bassoon, Op. 27b
    Sonata for Violin and Piano, Op. 42 (1954)
    Sonata for Clarinet and Piano, Op. 45 (1955)
    Lyric Fantasy for Viola and Piano, Op. 46 (1955)
    String Quartet, Op. 47 (1956)
    Evocation for Violin and Piano, Op. 48 (1956)
    Prelude for Bass Clarinet Solo (or B♭ Clarinet), Op. 51 (1958)
    Seascape for 2 Flutes, Oboe, English Horn, 2 Clarinets, 2 Bassoons and 2 Horns, Op. 53 (1958)
    A Tarradiddle for 2 Horns, Op. 54 (1959)
    Sonatina for Horn and Piano, Op. 56 (1960)
    Triton for Horn and Piano, Op. 60 (1970)
    Sonata for Cello and Piano, Op. 63 (1978)
    Octet for 2 Oboes, 2 Clarinets, 2 Bassoons and 2 Horns, Op. 65 (1983)
    Sonata No. 2 for Oboe and Piano, Op. 66 (1985)
    The Saint Francis Window for Alto Flute and Piano, Op. 67 (1986)
    The Riders of Rohan for Trombone and Piano (1987)
    Scherzo and Adagio for Cello Solo, Op. 68 (1987)
    Sinfonietta for 10 Winds and Percussion, Op. 73 (1989)
    Threnody for English Horn and Piano (or Organ), Op. 74 (1990)
    The Pony Cart for Flute, Horn and Piano, Op. 75 (1990)
    A Wealden Suite, Quartet for E♭, B♭, A and Bass Clarinets, Op. 76 (1991)
    Cool Running Water for Bass Flute and Piano, Op. 77 (1991)
    Pan and Apollo for 2 Oboes, English Horn and Harp, Op. 78 (1992)
    Sonata for Alto Trombone (or Horn) and Piano, Op. 80 (1995)

Piano

    The Fairy Shoemaker (1929)
    Sea Nymph, ballet for small orchestra (or for two pianos), Op. 14 (1941 ?)
    Conversation for 2 Pianos, Op. 36 (1950)
    Theme and Variations, Op. 57a (1965)
    Opalescence, Op. 72 (1989)

Choral

    Mazeppa's Ride for Female Chorus and Orchestra, Op. 1
    The Cat, Cantata for Alto, Baritone, Double Mixed Chorus and Orchestra, Op. 32 (1947)
    Goblin Market for 2 Sopranos, Female Chorus and String Orchestra (or Piano), Op. 40 (1953)
    An Easter Carol for Soprano, Mixed Chorus and Piano or Organ, Op. 52 (1958)
    Magnificat and Nunc dimittis for Mixed Chorus and Organ, Op. 55 (1959)
    Gloria in excelsis for Unison Chorus and Organ, Op. 62 (1977)
    A Service for Holy Communion for Mixed Chorus and Organ, Op. 62a (1974)

Vocal

    Four Baritone Songs for Baritone and Piano, Op. 4b (1939)
    Heaven for High Voice and Piano (1939)
    Four Songs of Youth for Tenor and Piano (1940)
    Two Songs for Soprano and Piano, Op. 11 (1940)
    Rhapsody for Wordless Soprano and Small Orchestra, Op. 18
    Ducks for Soprano, Flute, Cello and Piano, Op. 19 (1941)
    The Song of the Narcissus for Soprano and Piano, Op. 37 (1951)
    Three Incantations for Soprano and Harp, Op. 50 (1957)
    The Lady of the Lambs for Soprano and Wind Quintet, Op. 79 (1992)

As a footnote maybe we should also mention this item: Variations On A Theme Of Ruth Gipps by Malcolm Arnold.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Arnold-M-Concerto-Players-Variations/dp/B001MV59M0/ref=sr_1_fkmr1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1533544682&sr=8-1-fkmr1&keywords=malcolm+arnold+theme+on+ruth+gipps

Thanks for posting this interesting sounding list. 'Mazeppa's Ride' for Female Chorus and Orchestra sounds enticing, although being her Opus 1. The 'Cat Cantata' sounds like a must-hear.
"Courage is going from failure to failure without losing enthusiasm" (Churchill).

'The test of a work of art is, in the end, our affection for it, not our ability to explain why it is good' (Stanley Kubrick).

The new erato

A coupling with Ducks op 19 would be killer!

vandermolen

Quote from: The new erato on August 06, 2018, 07:08:11 AM
A coupling with Ducks op 19 would be killer!

A sensational release I am sure!
8)
"Courage is going from failure to failure without losing enthusiasm" (Churchill).

'The test of a work of art is, in the end, our affection for it, not our ability to explain why it is good' (Stanley Kubrick).

vandermolen

Also 'The Riders of Rohan' for Trombone and Piano - a must for LOTR fans.
"Courage is going from failure to failure without losing enthusiasm" (Churchill).

'The test of a work of art is, in the end, our affection for it, not our ability to explain why it is good' (Stanley Kubrick).

cilgwyn

According to an email from MDT the cd of the new Chandos Ruth Gipps cd was sent out today. I'm looking forward to this. I don't know her music. The off air recordings I have come across were too poor for my ears,so I quickly switched them off. Like Gaze Cooper (for example) I felt I needed to reserve judgement until a decent recording appeared on cd. I suppose I could have bought the Classico cd,but I resisted. This Chandos cd was just too much for me. Chandos releasing the kind of repertoire that made them such a great label. And I feel I need to encourage more releases of this kind. Not that my little order will make that much difference on it's own;but the more the merrier. Holbrooke next,please,Chandos! (I would say that,wouldn't I?!! ::) ;D).

vandermolen

Quote from: cilgwyn on September 06, 2018, 03:44:14 AM
According to an email from MDT the cd of the new Chandos Ruth Gipps cd was sent out today. I'm looking forward to this. I don't know her music. The off air recordings I have come across were too poor for my ears,so I quickly switched them off. Like Gaze Cooper (for example) I felt I needed to reserve judgement until a decent recording appeared on cd. I suppose I could have bought the Classico cd,but I resisted. This Chandos cd was just too much for me. Chandos releasing the kind of repertoire that made them such a great label. And I feel I need to encourage more releases of this kind. Not that my little order will make that much difference on it's own;but the more the merrier. Holbrooke next,please,Chandos! (I would say that,wouldn't I?!! ::) ;D).
I'm in the same boat waiting for my order to arrive, although I have to wait until November for Chandos to release Copland's Third Symphony in the John Wilson series and until January 2019 for Lyatoshinsky's epic Third Symphony and 'Grazhyna'.
"Courage is going from failure to failure without losing enthusiasm" (Churchill).

'The test of a work of art is, in the end, our affection for it, not our ability to explain why it is good' (Stanley Kubrick).

cilgwyn

Is your order coming from MDT? This is the sort of recording Hickox might have made if he'd lived! Or Handley,once,I suppose?! I'm not so familiar with Rumon Gamba,really;but I rather like his recordings of Arnold;particularly his Seventh. Not my favourite;but I find his fast tempi actually gives it a manic intensity which,while I was a bit taken-a-back,at first,actually seems rather appropriate for the music (despairing,somewhat neurotic?!). Ruth Gipps is obviously a different sort of composer,of course!