The British Composers Thread

[Maestro267]

As already posted in the Purchases thread, today I picked up the 4-disc British Symphonies set from Lyrita, so I am now awash with many new British symphonic treasures. Currently listening to the Symphony in G minor by William Sterndale Bennett, which I believe is now the earliest British symphony in my collection, dating from 1864-67. I'm really enjoying it. The 2nd movement has a highly original trio section scored for brass alone.

I'm really looking forward to hearing Grace Williams' Symphony No. 2, as it's not only a Welsh symphony, but it was premiered at my home city's festival back in 1957.

[vandermolen]

As already posted in the Purchases thread, today I picked up the 4-disc British Symphonies set from Lyrita, so I am now awash with many new British symphonic treasures. Currently listening to the Symphony in G minor by William Sterndale Bennett, which I believe is now the earliest British symphony in my collection, dating from 1864-67. I'm really enjoying it. The 2nd movement has a highly original trio section scored for brass alone.

I'm really looking forward to hearing Grace Williams' Symphony No. 2, as it's not only a Welsh symphony, but it was premiered at my home city's festival back in 1957.

The Grace Williams Symphony 2 is great. She was a pupil of VW and some of his 6th symphony's turbulence and angst are replicated in her Symphony, although she was an individual composer in her own right.

Thanks for the heads-up re Sterndale Bennett - I've never listened to it 

[Maestro267]

Wow! I'm extremely impressed with John Joubert's Symphony No. 1, which I've just finished listening to. Oddly enough I was reading a bit about him the other day. Happy to see he's still with us, at 91 years of age.

I also really enjoyed Grace Williams' 2nd Symphony, which is the longest work on this box set.

[vandermolen]

Wow! I'm extremely impressed with John Joubert's Symphony No. 1, which I've just finished listening to. Oddly enough I was reading a bit about him the other day. Happy to see he's still with us, at 91 years of age.

I also really enjoyed Grace Williams' 2nd Symphony, which is the longest work on this box set.

Joubert's Third Symphony, just released by Lyrita, is also very good.

[kyjo]

Wow! I'm extremely impressed with John Joubert's Symphony No. 1, which I've just finished listening to. Oddly enough I was reading a bit about him the other day. Happy to see he's still with us, at 91 years of age.

Yes, a great work! I particularly like the darkly tragic slow movement and the energetic finale. His Piano Concerto, coupled with the 3rd Symphony on the new Lyrita CD, is also very fine. Haven't gotten around to listening to the 3rd Symphony yet.

[Christo]

The Grace Williams Symphony 2 is great. She was a pupil of VW and some of his 6th symphony's turbulence and angst are replicated in her Symphony, although she was an individual composer in her own right.

Started playing here again. Good to realize that RVW 'taught' at least four highly talented women composers, all with a personal voice: Elizabeth Maconchy, Ina Boyle, Ruth Gipps and Grace Williams. I don't think any of them copied his style; but somehow all went 'their own way' just like he did - and encouraged them to do.

[JBS]

Started in on the Lyrita British String Concertos. The Holst Double Concerto is a gem, especially the third movement (Variations on a Ground)

[vandermolen]

Started in on the Lyrita British String Concertos. The Holst Double Concerto is a gem, especially the third movement (Variations on a Ground)

I also like the Morgan Violin Concerto very much.

[Irons]

I must give the Morgan a spin. That is a great list, I'm quite jealous.   Finzi is lovely and a shame he didn't complete his concerto. The Gerhard is in brilliant sound and an interesting composer. I have not heard Busch, Rubbra and Hoddinott but very much would like to. For me the only duff one is Don Banks.

[Irons]

I must give the Morgan a spin.

Vandermolen has mentioned the Morgan violin concerto twice, which is once enough for me. A fabulous concerto, modern in a good way. That such an important and original work my a composer largely forgotten defies belief - is there any other recordings other then the Lyrita of VC and "Contrasts"? Looking on the net he emigrated to Canada at one point and died at 55.

[Maestro267]

I feel like this is worth pointing out in this thread: Alan Bush (born otd in 1900) is the Featured Article on the English-language Wikipedia today. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Main_Page

[vandermolen]

Vandermolen has mentioned the Morgan violin concerto twice, which is once enough for me. A fabulous concerto, modern in a good way. That such an important and original work my a composer largely forgotten defies belief - is there any other recordings other then the Lyrita of VC and "Contrasts"? Looking on the net he emigrated to Canada at one point and died at 55.

There seems to be very little. I'd love to hear his Sinfonia da Requiem for example (1971-2) and Variations on a Theme by Walton. I agree with your comment about modern music at its best.

[Jaakko Keskinen]

While I like many British composers, the only one in my personal top 10 is Walton. It's a shame that his output is rather small. 

[Irons]

There seems to be very little. I'd love to hear his Sinfonia da Requiem for example (1971-2) and Variations on a Theme by Walton. I agree with your comment about modern music at its best.

Also a string quartet. But you are right, listening to the violin concerto with its brilliant orchestration the larger scale works would be the first port of call.

[kyjo]

Not sure if this belongs here since he was born in Australia, but I recently discovered Arthur Benjamin's Symphony (1945), and WOW! What a stunning work! It's a grippingly dramatic, masterfully scored, memorable work which doesn't have a single dull moment. The first two movements have a nervous, stormy energy, the slow movement is darkly passionate, and the finale is a stirring triumph-over-the-odds conclusion. Much as I love RVW's symphonies, I think I even prefer it to most of them, which is no small praise! Like Korngold and Damase, I wish Benjamin had written many more symphonies. This recording with the LPO under Barry Wordsworth is first-rate in all regards:

[asin]B000N8UVSA[/asin]

[vandermolen]

Not sure if this belongs here since he was born in Australia, but I recently discovered Arthur Benjamin's Symphony (1945), and WOW! What a stunning work! It's a grippingly dramatic, masterfully scored, memorable work which doesn't have a single dull moment. The first two movements have a nervous, stormy energy, the slow movement is darkly passionate, and the finale is a stirring triumph-over-the-odds conclusion. Much as I love RVW's symphonies, I think I even prefer it to most of them, which is no small praise! Like Korngold and Damase, I wish Benjamin had written many more symphonies. This recording with the LPO under Barry Wordsworth is first-rate in all regards:

[asin]B000N8UVSA[/asin]

It's a fabulous symphony - I agree Kyle. He was Australian but mostly lived in the UK and was a friend of VW's. They're is another performance on Marco Polo and also a fine old John Barbirolli recording, possibly of the first performance. The Lyrita is the best though.

[André]

I have the Marco Polo disc but haven't listened to it in ages. It's in the listening pile, now 

[vandermolen]

I have the Marco Polo disc but haven't listened to it in ages. It's in the listening pile, now 

Excellent! The Marco Polo has the moving 'Ballade for String Orchestra' which is not on the Lyrita disc - worth having for that.

[calyptorhynchus]

I'm a fan of the Benjamin Symphony too. Does any know of a recording of his string quartets, I understand he wrote two.

[vandermolen]

I'm a fan of the Benjamin Symphony too. Does any know of a recording of his string quartets, I understand he wrote two.

The only thing I can see is a Pastoral Fantasy for String Quartet: