The British Composers Thread

[Pohjolas Daughter]

I wonder why it only has the Adagio of the 2nd Sonata. Is that all that is finished of the work?

On Naxos' website they say that only one movement has survived from it.  Is there an Ivor Gurney website?  Perhaps they might go into more detail there?

PD

https://naxosdirect.co.uk/items/ivor-gurney-piano-sonatas-nos.-1%E2%80%933-piano-sonata-no.-2-%E2%80%93-ii.-adagio-five-preludes-autumn-606699

[Luke]

On Naxos' website they say that only one movement has survived from it.  Is there an Ivor Gurney website?  Perhaps they might go into more detail there?

https://ivorgurneytrust.org/
https://ivorgurney.co.uk/

[Luke]

The latter says:

Gurney composed numerous miniatures for piano, as well as four known sonatas, the last of which is now missing. However, much of his effort in writing for the piano was put into Preludes. He composed at least 17 preludes, five of which – Gurney's 'Set one' – were published by Winthrop Rogers in 1921. One manuscript in the Gurney Archive contains the beginnings of 'Set Three', implying that Set Two must have been written, either as a now missing whole or in the collation of the various preludes composed between those of sets one (1919) and three (c.1921). From Gurney's wartime correspondence it appears that Gurney was intent upon composing a collection of 'English Preludes', being perhaps his answer to Bach'sDas Wohltemperierte Clavier– the Forty-Eight Preludes and Fugues.

which doesn't really answer your question. I'll see if the Michael Hurd biography has anything to say on the question later.

[Luke]

Unnecessary: Naxos say it's the only surviving movement,  as suspected.
 https://naxosdirect.co.uk/items/ivor-gurney-piano-sonatas-nos.-1%e2%80%933-piano-sonata-no.-2-%e2%80%93-ii.-adagio-five-preludes-autumn-606699

[Papy Oli]

Just in case somebody might be interested, Chandos has a sale today only (33% off) on 78rpm recordings of Moeran's works:



https://www.chandos.net/products/catalogue/DH%207808

[vandermolen]

Just in case somebody might be interested, Chandos has a sale today only (33% off) on 78rpm recordings of Moeran's works:



https://www.chandos.net/products/catalogue/DH%207808

That's a classic recording Olivier, rather like Hamilton Harty's recording of Walton's First Symphony.

[Symphonic Addict]

This recent release has been a very welcome discovery. It includes the Variations for Piano and Orchestra by John Addison and Gordon Jacob's Piano Concerto No. 2 in E-flat major. The Addison (a new composer to me, BTW) is a work with certain sobriety that gives it elegance and a restrained nature to it, though not without its moments of energy. The Jacob is a much more animated piece with memorable material and sparkling use of the orchestra, from the very opening one is hooked. At first I hadn't noticed that the Rubbra on this disc is his Piano Concerto, op. 30 which supposedly was withdrawn by the composer. Thank God it was rescued and recorded because it's very interesting, clearly reminding of Vaughan Williams.

Warmly recommended, the recording and performances are exemplary I reckon.

[calyptorhynchus]

This recent release has been a very welcome discovery. It includes the Variations for Piano and Orchestra by John Addison and Gordon Jacob's Piano Concerto No. 2 in E-flat major. The Addison (a new composer to me, BTW) is a work with certain sobriety that gives it elegance and a restrained nature to it, though not without its moments of energy. The Jacob is a much more animated piece with memorable material and sparkling use of the orchestra, from the very opening one is hooked. At first I hadn't noticed that the Rubbra on this disc is his Piano Concerto, op. 30 which supposedly was withdrawn by the composer. Thank God it was rescued and recorded because it's very interesting, clearly reminding of Vaughan Williams.

Warmly recommended, the recording and performances are exemplary I reckon.

Interesting, this is a work distinct from the Piano Concerto Op 55. I'll have to have a listen.

[kyjo]

This recent release has been a very welcome discovery. It includes the Variations for Piano and Orchestra by John Addison and Gordon Jacob's Piano Concerto No. 2 in E-flat major. The Addison (a new composer to me, BTW) is a work with certain sobriety that gives it elegance and a restrained nature to it, though not without its moments of energy. The Jacob is a much more animated piece with memorable material and sparkling use of the orchestra, from the very opening one is hooked. At first I hadn't noticed that the Rubbra on this disc is his Piano Concerto, op. 30 which supposedly was withdrawn by the composer. Thank God it was rescued and recorded because it's very interesting, clearly reminding of Vaughan Williams.

Warmly recommended, the recording and performances are exemplary I reckon.

Interesting! So basically Rubbra wrote no less than 3 piano concertos: the Op. 30 on that Lyrita disc, the Op. 55 in G major, and the Sinfonia Concertante! I have fond memories of the Op. 55 - must familiarize myself with the other two.

[Symphonic Addict]

What I've heard by Donald Francis Tovey has provided me a good image of him as a valuable composer. Was revisiting his Piano Quartet in E minor, op. 12 from this recording and it confirmed my impressions. It's in two very contrasted movements, being the first one stormy and passionate, whereas the second one is a supremely endearing theme with variations. Something I've also noticed in other of his works is his specialty to write some incredibly tender music and the 2nd movement of this Piano Quartet shows, it's something else indeed.

[Irons]

What I've heard by Donald Francis Tovey has provided me a good image of him as a valuable composer. Was revisiting his Piano Quartet in E minor, op. 12 from this recording and it confirmed my impressions. It's in two very contrasted movements, being the first one stormy and passionate, whereas the second one is a supremely endearing theme with variations. Something I've also noticed in other of his works is his specialty to write some incredibly tender music and the 2nd movement of this Piano Quartet shows, it's something else indeed.

Tovey interests me. Tempted by a string quartet recording also on Guild some time ago but didn't succumb. Reading your advocacy followed by this  https://landofllostcontent.blogspot.com/2011/02/donald-tovey-chamber-music-on-guild_18.html  how could I resist? Intrigued by Tovey's impression of a steam train.

[vandermolen]

What I've heard by Donald Francis Tovey has provided me a good image of him as a valuable composer. Was revisiting his Piano Quartet in E minor, op. 12 from this recording and it confirmed my impressions. It's in two very contrasted movements, being the first one stormy and passionate, whereas the second one is a supremely endearing theme with variations. Something I've also noticed in other of his works is his specialty to write some incredibly tender music and the 2nd movement of this Piano Quartet shows, it's something else indeed.

Interesting Cesar - I may well track this CD down. Tovey is a not very popular composer but his Symphony has some wonderful moments and I often return to it.

[Irons]

Interesting Cesar - I may well track this CD down. Tovey is a not very popular composer but his Symphony has some wonderful moments and I often return to it.

I think historically Tovey fell in the same trap as Lambert, Parry and Stanford. Great musical minds that spread their talent too widely. Allrounders fall by the wayside.

[Maestro267]

That Guild recording looks so much like Dutton's art and text style I was confused for a moment.

[Symphonic Addict]

Tovey interests me. Tempted by a string quartet recording also on Guild some time ago but didn't succumb. Reading your advocacy followed by this  https://landofllostcontent.blogspot.com/2011/02/donald-tovey-chamber-music-on-guild_18.html  how could I resist? Intrigued by Tovey's impression of a steam train.

His String Quartet No. 1 is another peach!

I'm expecting a first recording of his SQ 2, hopefully Toccata will make it possible in due time.

[Symphonic Addict]

Interesting Cesar - I may well track this CD down. Tovey is a not very popular composer but his Symphony has some wonderful moments and I often return to it.

To me his Symphony sounds like a hybrid between Brahms' counterpoint and Bruckner's grandeur, so I like it very much too!

[Irons]

What I've heard by Donald Francis Tovey has provided me a good image of him as a valuable composer. Was revisiting his Piano Quartet in E minor, op. 12 from this recording and it confirmed my impressions. It's in two very contrasted movements, being the first one stormy and passionate, whereas the second one is a supremely endearing theme with variations. Something I've also noticed in other of his works is his specialty to write some incredibly tender music and the 2nd movement of this Piano Quartet shows, it's something else indeed.

Considering the background of Tovey's musical career it may be easily expected his compositions to be a tad dry and academic. I am pleasantly surprised to find nothing of the sort. The music on this CD is bold and passionate, from heart not head. For a fellow steam train nut Tovey's depiction of a steam engine in the finale of the Piano Trio is cherry on cake. 

[calyptorhynchus]

Next Friday (27th), in a programme beginning at 2pm BBC Radio 3 are going to be broadcasting the Sinfonia in C by R O Morris (teacher of Finzi, Tippett, Bernard Stevens and others). This isn't the later Symphony in D, but an earlier work. It will be interesting to hear what it sounds like.

[kyjo]

What I've heard by Donald Francis Tovey has provided me a good image of him as a valuable composer. Was revisiting his Piano Quartet in E minor, op. 12 from this recording and it confirmed my impressions. It's in two very contrasted movements, being the first one stormy and passionate, whereas the second one is a supremely endearing theme with variations. Something I've also noticed in other of his works is his specialty to write some incredibly tender music and the 2nd movement of this Piano Quartet shows, it's something else indeed.

I agree about the quality of this work, particularly the noble and beautifully written theme-and-variations 2nd movement. However, as with most recordings of Tovey's music on the Guild and Toccata labels, I don't feel that the performance on this disc does the work full justice...

[Symphonic Addict]

I agree about the quality of this work, particularly the noble and beautifully written theme-and-variations 2nd movement. However, as with most recordings of Tovey's music on the Guild and Toccata labels, I don't feel that the performance on this disc does the work full justice...

Since you are a professional musician you can detect details that someone like me (an empirical listener) can't, but I didn't feel anything wrong with the performance.