The British Composers Thread

Started by Mark, October 25, 2007, 12:26:56 PM

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ritter


Irons

#1021
Quote from: foxandpeng on October 19, 2021, 07:20:30 AM
Favourite British composers currently still writing or at least still alive at time of writing?

Mine has to be Philip Sawyers, I think. Big fan of David Matthews too! His symphonies on Dutton, especially #9 are fantastic. Gavin Bryars for his SQs, anyone? Great!

Now playing Sawyers #4 again for that imposing opening and gripping first movement. Boom! What a great finale too!

I was turned off from living British composers to a degree as I felt although progressive I frankly listened out of a sense of duty not expecting to be entertained.



Maybe there is hope as I placed Hugh Wood (deceased) in the same bracket but his music is growing on me.

There seems to be a new school who are composing works with something to say but at the same time can be listened with pleasure by the general music-loving public. Like you, I found Matthews 9th Symphony outstanding followed by the excellent Sawyers.
You must have a very good opinion of yourself to write a symphony - John Ireland.

I opened the door people rushed through and I was left holding the knob - Bo Diddley.

foxandpeng

MacMillan, Walker, Spratley, Goehr... check. I know a couple of Macmillan symphonies but it's been a while. Time to revisit, I think.

Quote from: Irons on October 20, 2021, 07:26:47 AM
Like you, I found Matthews 9th Symphony outstanding followed by the excellent Sawyers.

;D
"A quiet secluded life in the country, with the possibility of being useful to people ... then work which one hopes may be of some use; then rest, nature, books, music, love for one's neighbour — such is my idea of happiness"

Tolstoy

VonStupp

#1023
A cross-post. I have been listening to William Wallace's symphonic poems today and will continue to his symphony when I can.

Does anyone else lament that no one picked up the mantle from Hyperion and Brabbins (from the mid-90's), because his is very convincing music making so far. It sounds like there are plenty of unrecorded works to perform too.

Any William Wallace love? VS

Quote from: VonStupp on October 31, 2021, 09:11:10 AM


It seems the two Hyperion recordings remain the only performances on record of Wallace's orchestral music. 

A bit of confusion exists that Scottish composer William Wallace (1860-1940) wrote a symphonic poem entitled Sir William Wallace (1270-1305).

Add to that muddle, there is another composer named William Vincent Wallace (1812-1865) from Ireland and William Wallace (1933-2017) from the US/Canada, both with recordings to their names.
"All the good music has already been written by people with wigs and stuff."

Maestro267

I have the disc of symphonic poems, but I haven't listened to it for a while. I'll have to refresh myself.

VonStupp

Quote from: Maestro267 on November 01, 2021, 05:00:07 AM
I have the disc of symphonic poems, but I haven't listened to it for a while. I'll have to refresh myself.

That's where I was, but I am not sure if I ever actually listened to the symphonic poems recording.

VS
"All the good music has already been written by people with wigs and stuff."

Roasted Swan

Yesterday was a lovely day.  I was booked to play my violin for the weekly live BBC Choral Evensong broadcast from Merton College Oxford.  The only piece we were required for was the rare - but stunning - strings and organ version of Howells' "The House of the Mind".  Never played this before - an extraordinary work - Howells' harmonic sense is incredibly complex.  Normally when you play a piece for the first time - cetainly music than can be termed essentially tonal - your ear helps predict lines and notes within harmonies where you will be moving.  Not with this Howells - it was thrillingly unexpected at every turn!

But the great joy was to sit in the ancient space of Merton College Chapel, lit just by candlelight and listen in close-up to a wonderful choir and organ performing some transcendingly beautiful music (more Howells plus some Tallis and RVW).  I am not a religious person but this was a tranquil oasis of simple beauty in a troubled world.  At a time when it can feel that one is less "in sync" with the time and values of many, it was genuine balm to sit and listen to music performed with such passion and perfection by a young choir.

Again, I cheer the BBC for going about their business producing programmes of this understated quality.  This is exactly the kind of thing that will disappear forever if/when the licence fee is revoked.  The programme is repeated next Sunday and can be listened to for a month via the usual  BBC online platforms

Roy Bland


Irons

Quote from: Roy Bland on November 12, 2021, 07:28:26 PM


Interesting. "Sleep Song" is one of the most beautiful songs I have heard in a long time.

https://youtu.be/QBFdkuO2ABU
You must have a very good opinion of yourself to write a symphony - John Ireland.

I opened the door people rushed through and I was left holding the knob - Bo Diddley.

vandermolen

#1029
Quote from: Roasted Swan on November 04, 2021, 12:04:56 AM
Yesterday was a lovely day.  I was booked to play my violin for the weekly live BBC Choral Evensong broadcast from Merton College Oxford.  The only piece we were required for was the rare - but stunning - strings and organ version of Howells' "The House of the Mind".  Never played this before - an extraordinary work - Howells' harmonic sense is incredibly complex.  Normally when you play a piece for the first time - cetainly music than can be termed essentially tonal - your ear helps predict lines and notes within harmonies where you will be moving.  Not with this Howells - it was thrillingly unexpected at every turn!

But the great joy was to sit in the ancient space of Merton College Chapel, lit just by candlelight and listen in close-up to a wonderful choir and organ performing some transcendingly beautiful music (more Howells plus some Tallis and RVW).  I am not a religious person but this was a tranquil oasis of simple beauty in a troubled world.  At a time when it can feel that one is less "in sync" with the time and values of many, it was genuine balm to sit and listen to music performed with such passion and perfection by a young choir.

Again, I cheer the BBC for going about their business producing programmes of this understated quality.  This is exactly the kind of thing that will disappear forever if/when the licence fee is revoked.  The programme is repeated next Sunday and can be listened to for a month via the usual  BBC online platforms
What a wonderful experience and thank you for sharing it with us.  There are odd moments when, despite the everyday chaos, one feels in harmony with the universe. That's my experience anyway.
"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).

Roasted Swan

In the next coming couple of weeks the two surviving String Quartets by W H "Billy" Reed are being recorded.  Reed famously assisted Elgar with the technical aspects of the violin concerto and the late chamber works and published "Elgar as I knew him" after the composer's death.   This book contained reproductions of the Symphony No.3 sketches which ultimately led to Anthony Payne's inspired reconstruction.  Reed was a fine composer in his own right and these 2 quartets (Nos. 1-3 are missing) will be a valuable release.  There is a crowd funding page here

https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/wh-billy-reed-string-quartets

to support the project......

vandermolen

Quote from: Roasted Swan on February 03, 2022, 02:27:51 AM
In the next coming couple of weeks the two surviving String Quartets by W H "Billy" Reed are being recorded.  Reed famously assisted Elgar with the technical aspects of the violin concerto and the late chamber works and published "Elgar as I knew him" after the composer's death.   This book contained reproductions of the Symphony No.3 sketches which ultimately led to Anthony Payne's inspired reconstruction.  Reed was a fine composer in his own right and these 2 quartets (Nos. 1-3 are missing) will be a valuable release.  There is a crowd funding page here

https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/wh-billy-reed-string-quartets

to support the project......
Never knew that - most interesting.
"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

Just spotted this new publication:
"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).

relm1

Quote from: Roasted Swan on November 04, 2021, 12:04:56 AM
Yesterday was a lovely day.  I was booked to play my violin for the weekly live BBC Choral Evensong broadcast from Merton College Oxford.  The only piece we were required for was the rare - but stunning - strings and organ version of Howells' "The House of the Mind".  Never played this before - an extraordinary work - Howells' harmonic sense is incredibly complex.  Normally when you play a piece for the first time - cetainly music than can be termed essentially tonal - your ear helps predict lines and notes within harmonies where you will be moving.  Not with this Howells - it was thrillingly unexpected at every turn!

But the great joy was to sit in the ancient space of Merton College Chapel, lit just by candlelight and listen in close-up to a wonderful choir and organ performing some transcendingly beautiful music (more Howells plus some Tallis and RVW).  I am not a religious person but this was a tranquil oasis of simple beauty in a troubled world.  At a time when it can feel that one is less "in sync" with the time and values of many, it was genuine balm to sit and listen to music performed with such passion and perfection by a young choir.

Again, I cheer the BBC for going about their business producing programmes of this understated quality.  This is exactly the kind of thing that will disappear forever if/when the licence fee is revoked.  The programme is repeated next Sunday and can be listened to for a month via the usual  BBC online platforms

Sounds very intriguing.  I'll look to add this work to my listening list.

Roasted Swan

Quote from: vandermolen on February 08, 2022, 05:17:59 AM
Just spotted this new publication:


Stephen H Smith seems to be a specialist in theological books so not sure this will be in the "expert" area.  This from the publisher's website;

What is meant by the term 'English Music'?

"After discussing the definition and factors for identification involved, Stephen H. Smith explores the shortlist of composers who should be considered, as well as any omissions from such a selection.

The book then gives a short history of English music from the nineteenth to twentieth century.

The main body of the book – the composer survey – is divided into three subsections: Progenitors of the English Musical Renaissance (Parry and Stanford); Ten of the Best (the author's choice of England's "top" twentieth-century composers); and The Best of the Rest (fifty entries on other English composers, in alphabetical order, including several overlooked ones with a nevertheless powerfully distinctive musical voice). A final section explores alternative ways of accessing the music along with their pros and cons.

With a bibliography and discography to accompany each entry, a general bibliography and an appendix on the mystery surrounding the fate of E.J. Moeran's 'Second Symphony', Albion's Glory gives a complete overview of the history of English music and the composers who brought it to life."


Not sure what the "mystery" of Moeran 2 is or why it merits a special index so soon after Dr Maxwell's extensive examination.....

foxandpeng

Quote from: Roasted Swan on February 08, 2022, 08:39:52 AM
Stephen H Smith seems to be a specialist in theological books so not sure this will be in the "expert" area.  This from the publisher's website;

What is meant by the term 'English Music'?

"After discussing the definition and factors for identification involved, Stephen H. Smith explores the shortlist of composers who should be considered, as well as any omissions from such a selection.

The book then gives a short history of English music from the nineteenth to twentieth century.

The main body of the book – the composer survey – is divided into three subsections: Progenitors of the English Musical Renaissance (Parry and Stanford); Ten of the Best (the author's choice of England's "top" twentieth-century composers); and The Best of the Rest (fifty entries on other English composers, in alphabetical order, including several overlooked ones with a nevertheless powerfully distinctive musical voice). A final section explores alternative ways of accessing the music along with their pros and cons.

With a bibliography and discography to accompany each entry, a general bibliography and an appendix on the mystery surrounding the fate of E.J. Moeran's 'Second Symphony', Albion's Glory gives a complete overview of the history of English music and the composers who brought it to life."


Not sure what the "mystery" of Moeran 2 is or why it merits a special index so soon after Dr Maxwell's extensive examination.....

Yeah, this chap is a self-publisher. Doesn't necessarily mean his work isn't good, but it probably means something. His theological writing is really quite poor. What is good isn't very original and what is original isn't very good. I think so long as nobody expects a peer-reviewed academic work, it might be an interesting read because who doesn't like reading about English composers? It is what it is, I think.

I know several writing theologians, some of whom I count as good friends, who have real expertise in other areas... I suspect this might not be one of them.
"A quiet secluded life in the country, with the possibility of being useful to people ... then work which one hopes may be of some use; then rest, nature, books, music, love for one's neighbour — such is my idea of happiness"

Tolstoy

Roasted Swan

Quote from: foxandpeng on February 08, 2022, 12:03:20 PM
Yeah, this chap is a self-publisher. Doesn't necessarily mean his work isn't good, but it probably means something. His theological writing is really quite poor. What is good isn't very original and what is original isn't very good. I think so long as nobody expects a peer-reviewed academic work,it might be an interesting read because who doesn't like reading about English composers? It is what it is, I think.

I know several writing theologians, some of whom I count as good friends, who have real expertise in other areas... I suspect this might not be one of them.

to the bolded above - that was very much my thought.......

relm1

Quote from: Roasted Swan on November 04, 2021, 12:04:56 AM
Yesterday was a lovely day.  I was booked to play my violin for the weekly live BBC Choral Evensong broadcast from Merton College Oxford.  The only piece we were required for was the rare - but stunning - strings and organ version of Howells' "The House of the Mind".  Never played this before - an extraordinary work - Howells' harmonic sense is incredibly complex.  Normally when you play a piece for the first time - cetainly music than can be termed essentially tonal - your ear helps predict lines and notes within harmonies where you will be moving.  Not with this Howells - it was thrillingly unexpected at every turn!

But the great joy was to sit in the ancient space of Merton College Chapel, lit just by candlelight and listen in close-up to a wonderful choir and organ performing some transcendingly beautiful music (more Howells plus some Tallis and RVW).  I am not a religious person but this was a tranquil oasis of simple beauty in a troubled world.  At a time when it can feel that one is less "in sync" with the time and values of many, it was genuine balm to sit and listen to music performed with such passion and perfection by a young choir.

Again, I cheer the BBC for going about their business producing programmes of this understated quality.  This is exactly the kind of thing that will disappear forever if/when the licence fee is revoked.  The programme is repeated next Sunday and can be listened to for a month via the usual  BBC online platforms

This was beautiful but all I could find was choral with organ.  Can you suggest a recording that includes the strings?  I love the passion and melancholy imbued in the work.  How much of it do you believe is English and how much is living through horrific world wars?  For example, I am zero percent English but am melancholic and some of my music has similar devices.  Is it because I identify with the melancholy in this music or because it is English melancholy or something else? 

Roy Bland


vandermolen

Quote from: foxandpeng on February 08, 2022, 12:03:20 PM
Yeah, this chap is a self-publisher. Doesn't necessarily mean his work isn't good, but it probably means something. His theological writing is really quite poor. What is good isn't very original and what is original isn't very good. I think so long as nobody expects a peer-reviewed academic work, it might be an interesting read because who doesn't like reading about English composers? It is what it is, I think.

I know several writing theologians, some of whom I count as good friends, who have real expertise in other areas... I suspect this might not be one of them.
I thought too that it might be self-published. I noticed it on the Blackwell's website which, I thought, gave it some credibility. I hope that it's more than a collection of Wikipedia articles cobbled together.
"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).