William Alwyn

[vandermolen]

The symphonies are awesome! No. 5 is somewhat spicier than the other 4, but it's a wonderful condensing of the 4-movement symphonic form into a single 14-minute movement.

Yes, I very much agree.

[SymphonicAddict]

Actually I think that the 'Swan of Tuonela' comment above referers to 'Autumn Legend' (on the CD recommended by John/MI) rather than the eloquent Pastoral Fantasia, so you need to hear that one too. 'Odd Man Out' is a fine score.

The symphonies are awesome! No. 5 is somewhat spicier than the other 4, but it's a wonderful condensing of the 4-movement symphonic form into a single 14-minute movement.

Perfect! All that sounds attractive to me

[vandermolen]

Perfect! All that sounds attractive to me

It was hearing Alwyn conduct Symphony 5 on the radio, presumably in the late 1970s which encouraged me to write to him to say how much I liked his music. He sent a very charming reply. There is a recent biography 'The innumerable Dance'.

[71 dB]

I have been listening to Alwyn on Spotify. This is the first time I explore his music. Pretty pleasant experience. Alwyn has a nice velvet-y feel in his music and it's easy to listen, but not banal or too simple. It's just easy to follow. I ordered the Naxos discs of symphonies 2 & 5 + Harp Concerto, all works that I liked on Spotify.

I like Bax's chamber music for Harp and Alwyn's Harp Concerto was very nice. Seems like British composers know how to compose for harp!  0:)

[vandermolen]

I have been listening to Alwyn on Spotify. This is the first time I explore his music. Pretty pleasant experience. Alwyn has a nice velvet-y feel in his music and it's easy to listen, but not banal or too simple. It's just easy to follow. I ordered the Naxos discs of symphonies 2 & 5 + Harp Concerto, all works that I liked on Spotify.

I like Bax's chamber music for Harp and Alwyn's Harp Concerto was very nice. Seems like British composers know how to compose for harp!  0:)

I agree. Bax's Harp Quintet is by far my favourite of his chamber works - a lovely, tuneful score.

[71 dB]

Now listening to Alwyn's String Quartets (Maggini Quartet) on Spotify.

I agree. Bax's Harp Quintet is by far my favourite of his chamber works - a lovely, tuneful score.

I think I'll limit* my Bax collection to the two Naxos discs I have (Chamber music for Harp and the 6th symphony)

____________________________________
* I really need limits to mentally survive the abundance of classic music!

[vandermolen]

Now listening to Alwyn's String Quartets (Maggini Quartet) on Spotify.

I think I'll limit* my Bax collection to the two Naxos discs I have (Chamber music for Harp and the 6th symphony)

____________________________________
* I really need limits to mentally survive the abundance of classic music!

You need to hear symphony 3 as well.     

Alwyn tended to get recommended to those who liked Bax's music - rightly so I think, although some find Alwyn's music less diffuse.

[71 dB]

You need to hear symphony 3 as well.     

Alwyn tended to get recommended to those who liked Bax's music - rightly so I think, although some find Alwyn's music less diffuse.

I listened to all 5 symphonies. The first one is weaker and the other 4 stronger imo.

I didn't find the String Quartets very interesting. Orchestral music is clearly Alwyn's forte. However, I did found Alwyn's Conversations interesting and good.

Of Alwyn and Bax I think I prefer Alwyn.

[vandermolen]

I listened to all 5 symphonies. The first one is weaker and the other 4 stronger imo.

I didn't find the String Quartets very interesting. Orchestral music is clearly Alwyn's forte. However, I did found Alwyn's Conversations interesting and good.

Of Alwyn and Bax I think I prefer Alwyn.

Sorry, I meant Bax's Third Symphony. I like all those by Alwyn including No.1 which was criticised for it's 'film-like' thematic material but that is no problem for me. I especially like the historic CD with Barbirolli conducting Alwyn's 1st and 2nd symphonies (he also recorded Bax's Third Symphony in a legendary performance).

[71 dB]

Sorry, I meant Bax's Third Symphony. I like all those by Alwyn including No.1 which was criticised for it's 'film-like' thematic material but that is no problem for me. I especially like the historic CD with Barbirolli conducting Alwyn's 1st and 2nd symphonies (he also recorded Bax's Third Symphony in a legendary performance).

I find all Alwyn's orchestral music "film-like" and that's not a problem at all. I just found the first symphony a bit dull compared to the rest.

I did listen to all 7 Bax symphonies, was it half a year ago, on Spotify and number 6 was my favorite by far so I bought that to my collection. 

At this point I have no plans to expand my Bax collection beyond the 2 Naxos discs I have (Chamber music for harp & Symphony 6). I'm cherry-picking hard! 

To me Alwyn is more interesting composer than Bax, so I keep exploring him more, but soon I may move on to Bliss perhaps?

[vandermolen]

I find all Alwyn's orchestral music "film-like" and that's not a problem at all. I just found the first symphony a bit dull compared to the rest.

I did listen to all 7 Bax symphonies, was it half a year ago, on Spotify and number 6 was my favorite by far so I bought that to my collection. 

At this point I have no plans to expand my Bax collection beyond the 2 Naxos discs I have (Chamber music for harp & Symphony 6). I'm cherry-picking hard! 

To me Alwyn is more interesting composer than Bax, so I keep exploring him more, but soon I may move on to Bliss perhaps?

Bliss is not a 'great composer' but I find myself often returning to his music. His late-romantic Piano Concerto is good and the choral symphony 'Morning Heroes' and much else besides. For chamber music I'd recommend his lovely Oboe Quintet which you can get on Naxos.

[Maestro267]

Bliss is not a 'great composer'

Oh yes he is! And so is Alwyn, and so is Bax, and so is everyone who has a thread here. The canon of great composers is far more vast than the marketing men, critics and concert hall programmers would have you believe.

Meanwhile, I'm surprised no one's mentioned Walton yet with regards to an Alwyn similarity.

[71 dB]

Bliss is not a 'great composer'

So, ignorance is bliss? 

but I find myself often returning to his music. His late-romantic Piano Concerto is good and the choral symphony 'Morning Heroes' and much else besides. For chamber music I'd recommend his lovely Oboe Quintet which you can get on Naxos.

Okay, these are welcome recommendation for the day I start to check out Bliss, thanks! Oboe Quintet sounds attractive! 

Oh yes he is! And so is Alwyn, and so is Bax, and so is everyone who has a thread here. The canon of great composers is far more vast than the marketing men, critics and concert hall programmers would have you believe.

That's true. If it weren't, we would be listening to Bach, Beethoven, Haydn, Mozart, Beethoven, ... only.

[71 dB]

Listening to Alwyn's piano music on Spotify (Volume 2 on Naxos).
I didn't have high expectations, but to my surprise Alwyn's piano music works for me!
This is like listening to a "British" Granados. 

[vandermolen]

Oh yes he is! And so is Alwyn, and so is Bax, and so is everyone who has a thread here. The canon of great composers is far more vast than the marketing men, critics and concert hall programmers would have you believe.

Meanwhile, I'm surprised no one's mentioned Walton yet with regards to an Alwyn similarity.

Isn't this the 'Good Music Group' rather than the 'Great Music Group?' 

There are great moments in Bliss I agree and I like his music very much. Walton's First Symphony is a great piece of music IMHO.

Yes, Bliss's Oboe Quintet is wonderful, especially in the version performed by the Melos Ensemble.

[Maestro267]

That's true. If it weren't, we would be listening to Bach, Beethoven, Haydn, Mozart, Beethoven, ... only.

And what an incredibly dull and boring place that would be.

[JohnP]

I find all Alwyn's orchestral music "film-like" and that's not a problem at all. I just found the first symphony a bit dull compared to the rest.

I did listen to all 7 Bax symphonies, was it half a year ago, on Spotify and number 6 was my favorite by far so I bought that to my collection. 

At this point I have no plans to expand my Bax collection beyond the 2 Naxos discs I have (Chamber music for harp & Symphony 6). I'm cherry-picking hard! 

To me Alwyn is more interesting composer than Bax, so I keep exploring him more, but soon I may move on to Bliss perhaps?

Hi 71dB

Hi

Have you tried the symphonies of Robert Simpson or Graham Whettam?

Re Alwyn, Steve Schwartz at Classical Net posits his string trio and clarinet sonatas as masterpieces

http://www.classical.net/music/recs/reviews/n/nxs72425a.php

Similarly his violin concerto which he compares to Elgars' and his opera Miss Julie, based on Strindberg

http://www.classical.net/music/recs/reviews/n/nxs70705a.php

[vandermolen]

Alwyn's Violin Concerto is one of his best works I think.

[71 dB]

Have you tried the symphonies of Robert Simpson or Graham Whettam?

No, I haven't. 

Re Alwyn, Steve Schwartz at Classical Net posits his string trio and clarinet sonatas as masterpieces

http://www.classical.net/music/recs/reviews/n/nxs72425a.php

Similarly his violin concerto which he compares to Elgars' and his opera Miss Julie, based on Strindberg

http://www.classical.net/music/recs/reviews/n/nxs70705a.php

Alwyn's Violin Concerto is good stuff, but for us Elgarians hardly even close to that of Elgar. 

[vandermolen]

No, I haven't. 

Alwyn's Violin Concerto is good stuff, but for us Elgarians hardly even close to that of Elgar. 

I'm increasingly of the view that Alwyn's VC is one of his greatest scores (I know I've said this before) I find myself listening to it a great deal. Both the Chandos and Naxos versions are excellent. The work was totally neglected/rejected in Alwyn's lifetime.