Christopher Gunning (born 5 August 1944) is an English composer mostly known for his film and television scores (such as Hammer Film's Hands of the Ripper). While they are perfectly adequate for their purpose, his tuneful "serious" music is what I am interested in. A minor composer - but he does what he does well.
Symphony No.1
Symphony No.2
Symphony No.3
Symphony No.4
Symphony No.5
Birdflight, for orchestra
Storm! for orchestra
Yorkshire Glory, for brass band or symphony orchestra
The Lobster
Concerto for Soprano Saxophone
Concerto for Oboe
Piano Concerto
Cello Concerto
Guitar Concerto
Clarinet Concerto
Flute Concerto
Violin Concerto
String Quartet (Nr.1)
Trio for Piano, Violin & Cello
Piano Sonata
Details about his compositions - in his own words - may be found at the website he maintains:
http://www.christopher-gunning.co.uk/discography/
Thanks.
I never cared for the Poirot theme. It never worked for me.
But I checked out some of his concert works and I really connected with them. Impressive symphonies.
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London Piano Trio w/Olga Dudnik
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Diana Brekalo
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^ soprano saxophone concerto
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A Hungarian Tale, for clarinet & piano:
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The Lobster
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I have several of his symphonies and despite all the hype find them totally unmemorable and overblown.
Quote from: vandermolen on October 22, 2016, 01:31:28 PMI have several of his symphonies and despite all the hype find them totally unmemorable and overblown.
+1 :-[
Quote from: vandermolen on October 22, 2016, 01:31:28 PM
I have several of his symphonies and despite all the hype find them totally unmemorable and overblown.
I prefer the chamber pieces that I have heard, and the concerti.
The Lobster is interesting as a diversion from time to (much extended) time. ;D
Quote from: vandermolen on October 22, 2016, 01:31:28 PM
I have several of his symphonies and despite all the hype find them totally unmemorable and overblown.
Interesting! And when I think of the rave reviews I've ploughed through for his symphonies in various publications. I've been tempted for than once. Coming from you and knowing your tastes in music I won't bother with this one. A good thing for my bank balance,though as he's composed quite a few! :) I could spend the money on something else,anyway. I keep being tempted by that Chandos Brian Easdale cd,for instance. He composed the music for the film,'The Red Shoes'. I'm sure you know! ;D There are others of course. It's just one of these cds I have on a sort of list,but never seem to buy.
I heard one work from Gunning (forget which one --- one of his symphonies I believe) and I found it dreadfully boring and I don't even believe I finished it. Not a composer I'm interested in exploring that's for sure!
Quote from: cilgwyn on October 23, 2016, 04:26:14 AM
Interesting! And when I think of the rave reviews I've ploughed through for his symphonies in various publications. I've been tempted for than once. Coming from you and knowing your tastes in music I won't bother with this one.
You can find just about his entire output on YouTube if you want to sample it.
I would suggest the Piano Trio to start.
I really like his music to Cold Lazarus.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8-vRSMn2Pug
Quote from: cilgwyn on October 23, 2016, 04:26:14 AM
Interesting! And when I think of the rave reviews I've ploughed through for his symphonies in various publications. I've been tempted for than once. Coming from you and knowing your tastes in music I won't bother with this one. A good thing for my bank balance,though as he's composed quite a few! :) I could spend the money on something else,anyway. I keep being tempted by that Chandos Brian Easdale cd,for instance. He composed the music for the film,'The Red Shoes'. I'm sure you know! ;D There are others of course. It's just one of these cds I have on a sort of list,but never seem to buy.
Yes, I'd save yourself the money and stick with the Easdale.
Well, I doubt this will be the last time that I fly in the face of popular opinion, including here on GMG.
I couldn't disagree more with the somewhat lukewarm response to these Gunning symphonies 🙂. I've been listening on and off for a while to them and haven't failed to benefit on any occasion. I am happy to come out and endorse the enthusiasm of the music press for Gunning and his craft!
Today he is on a rolling playlist following each symphony through, and it's been very worthwhile thus far.
Surely there must be other Gunningites out there in GMGland?
Shameless cross post from WAYLT:
Christopher GUNNING (b. 1944)
Symphony No 5 (2009) [51:40m]
Royal Philharmonic Orchestra/Christopher Gunning
Signum
Continuing with my amble through Gunning's symphonies with 5, which according to William Kriendler's review on Music Web,
is dedicated to the composer's sister Rachel, who, as the composer tells us, was enduring her final illness while the work was under way. He also states that "...the music moves through several phases which could be said to correspond to one's journey from birth to death." The whole symphony is based on wood-wind murmurings heard at the outset, plus scurrying strings and a horn call. The central slow section is very expressive and beautifully orchestrated; listeners may be reminded in different ways of the symphonies of Malcolm Arnold and George Lloyd.
Very positive I think, both in content and comparison.
If this is a reflection in any way upon his sister's passing, it is well done. Some earthly exits are characterised by pain and great angst, whereas this captures a sense of serenity and peace with the return of the woodwind murmurings of the opening movement, closing the cycle of life with gentleness.
He's doing OK, in my eyes.
Last call here today.
Having listened again to all the available streaming symphonies on Spotify, I am ready for something new. If you only know Gunning through Poirot's music or film scores, you will already know he is capable. His symphonies are a positive addition to my rotation, and bear patient attention. He is life affirming. He does satisfying conclusions. He makes sense of chaos. Perhaps he is even spiritual.
Quote from: foxandpeng on March 13, 2023, 03:05:45 AMChristopher GUNNING (b. 1944)
Symphony No. 2
Symphony No. 10
Symphony No. 12
BBC National Orchestra of Wales
Kenneth Woods
SIGNUM
Nothing but good things to say. Vacuous and amateurish, you may think me, but I stand with the prevailing critical opinion of these lovely works. Comparisons with Sibelius, Alwyn and others aren't always immediately obvious to me despite several reviewers leading that connection, but I kind of get it.
Gunning is a worthwhile voice. I really look forward to the release of the rest of his symphonies.
In the meantime, the whole run will get better on repeat!
No cover art. Bad internet.
I'm glad that you enjoy them Danny. You have obviously detected something that I have missed. I always found the cover art more interesting than the music, although remember liking the opening and closing of the 5th Symphony
Quote from: vandermolen on March 13, 2023, 04:32:39 AMI'm glad that you enjoy them Danny. You have obviously detected something that I have missed. I always found the cover art more interesting than the music, although remember liking the opening and closing of the 5th Symphony
I was quite surprised that you had found little connection with them, tbh. Not every bell rings in the same way for all, I realise, but I wondered whether there would be something in there for you. We are hardly short of common ground elsewhere, however 😅
Lovely to hear from you!
Quote from: foxandpeng on March 13, 2023, 04:40:40 AMI was quite surprised that you had found little connection with them, tbh. Not every bell rings in the same way for all, I realise, but I wondered whether there would be something in there for you. We are hardly short of common ground elsewhere, however 😅
Lovely to hear from you!
I will, sooner or later, have another go with Mr Gunning Danny!
Lovely to hear from you too.
I should give these a go. I have a disc with his Violin and Cello Concertos and a piece called Birdflight but I've hardly listened to it. Not out of lack of enjoyment. Just too much music out there and it got buried.
Just found out this composer passed away on last Friday. Rest in peace.
Quote from: Løvfald on March 25, 2023, 09:40:41 PMJust found out this composer passed away on last Friday. Rest in peace.
Awww, that's too bad. I listened to his Symphony No. 10, 2, and 12 a few days ago and quite enjoyed it...perhaps more now than when I first heard it. RIP.
I wondered about the increased recording attention to his "serious"/concert music in recent years, but the fact that so much of his work was recorded and published before he died is really very sweet and touching. He knew he was leaving a fuller legacy beyond TV and got the chance to share it. Hope that that brought him satisfaction in a life well-lived.
Will listen to some this week.
This is sad news. My appreciation for Gunning is no secret, so his loss is unfortunate. Having recently spent some time with his symphonies, I'm convinced that he leaves a meaningful legacy - he may not stand at the very forefront of his craft, but he has much to offer anyone interested in contemporary British composers.
Real loss Hoping his last symphonies will be performed.Who knows exactly (i've seen on his web page but remain unclear) when Yorkshire Glory was composed ?wikipedia tells 1982 his web page 1989-90
I am legitimately shocked at a Google search to confirm his death. The only thing vaguely close to confirmation is that Wikipedia now gives him a death date. Not a single obituary from anywhere.
Quote from: Maestro267 on March 27, 2023, 12:09:00 AMI am legitimately shocked at a Google search to confirm his death. The only thing vaguely close to confirmation is that Wikipedia now gives him a death date. Not a single obituary from anywhere.
I see musicweb has a blurb about it which probably indicates a thoughtful obituary is forthcoming.
Quote from: relm1 on March 27, 2023, 05:43:41 AMI see musicweb has a blurb about it which probably indicates a thoughtful obituary is forthcoming.
Sad day
https://www.facebook.com/christopher.gunningofficial/
Quote from: relm1 on March 27, 2023, 05:43:41 AMI see musicweb has a blurb about it which probably indicates a thoughtful obituary is forthcoming.
Hopefully something sensitive and careful in the light of the difficulties of the last couple of years. Hard miles for both Christopher and his wife, Sveta. It's been sad to see the cumulative effect of poor health and hard circumstances upon them. They've both seemed somewhat vulnerable, so reading of Christopher's passing wasn't as surprising as it might have been.
Remembering his real contribution to serious and lighter music, and hopefully promoting current and future recordings is the best way to ensure his legacy and celebrate his life.
Kenneth Woods' warm reflection on the passing of Christopher Gunning...
https://kennethwoods.net/blog1/2023/03/27/rip-christopher-gunning/ (https://kennethwoods.net/blog1/2023/03/27/rip-christopher-gunning/)
Woods is one of the UK's foremost promoters and advocates of contemporary British classical music, so his continued warm endorsement of Gunning is all the more encouraging. Hoping that out of this sad news, the rest of his symphonies may be recorded.
From The Guardian:
https://www.theguardian.com/music/2023/apr/11/christopher-gunning-obituary (https://www.theguardian.com/music/2023/apr/11/christopher-gunning-obituary)
Quote from: Papy Oli on April 11, 2023, 12:20:41 PMFrom The Guardian:
https://www.theguardian.com/music/2023/apr/11/christopher-gunning-obituary (https://www.theguardian.com/music/2023/apr/11/christopher-gunning-obituary)
Good to read, thank you. I hadn't realised he was responsible for the Martini and Black Magic ads. Most importantly, he highlights the value of Gunning's orchestral music, which IMHO is extremely worthwhile. Super symphonies, in particular.
It is with great sadness we announce the death of Christopher Gunning, who passed away on the 25th of March 2023 at the age of 78 after a long and courageous battle with kidney cancer. He died peacefully in his bed at his Hertfordshire house surrounded by everything Christopher adored – his wife, his children, his dog, his beloved Bechstein piano and a garden full of plants and trees, flowers and birds, all bursting with Spring song. Christopher nurtured his love of both music and nature throughout his life. He passed on his passions ardently, inspiring and delighting all who knew him through his quirky humour and, most of all, astounding creativity that seemed endless. While Christopher is gone, and the sorrow of his passing is immeasurable, his music remains – unfading and full of life.
https://www.christopher-gunning.co.uk/
Already been covering it for weeks in his Composer Discussion thread.
I am just in the process of discovering his music. But yes I already knew of his death, and mourn the loss of such a versatile composer. May he rest in peace, and granted the bliss of hearing his music coming up in the place he dwells in.
Quote from: Maestro267 on April 12, 2023, 02:20:53 AMAlready been covering it for weeks in his Composer Discussion thread.
Sorry - I do not read everything. My post can be deleted!
I merged it instead because I found that memorial comment from his family to be particularly beautiful and didn't want to lose it (or Harry's reply). Hope that's OK. :)
OK - of course. :)