Filling another gap in the composer threads with a space for John Pickard, one of Britain's finest recent symphonists.
His website gives a helpful overview of his work and life so far, but his music speaks for itself. Modern, tonal, intelligent music that I've found captivating and deserving of repeated listens.
https://johnpickard.co.uk/ (https://johnpickard.co.uk/)
Cross-posting from the WAYLT thread...
Quote from: foxandpeng on June 01, 2024, 01:46:27 PMJohn Pickard
Symphony 4 'Gaia'
Eden
Andreas Hanson
Eikanger-Bjørsvik Musikklag
BIS
The recent release of Pickard's symphonies 2 and 6 has reminded me just what an outstanding composer he is. Symphony 4 for brass band and Eden are remarkable works.
There are currently some great British composers at work, but Pickard is surely amongst the top tier.
The encouraging news is that Pickard is very much still writing and seems to be losing none of his creativity. Much more to come from his pen, hopefully!
I think very highly of his music, particularly his symphonies and string quartets.
I reckon that, with David Matthews and Peteris Vasks, he is one of the three greatest living symphonists (and the youngest!).
I wrote to him to let him now how much I appreciated the latest Bis disk (Symphonies 2, 6 and some Verlaine settings), and he tells me he hopes to have a disk with the symphonies 1 and 3 on it to complete the recorded edition of the symphonies. Don't hold your breath, it won't happen straightaway, but the idea is there.
Quote from: calyptorhynchus on June 01, 2024, 02:37:50 PMI think very highly of his music, particularly his symphonies and string quartets.
I reckon that, with David Matthews and Peteris Vasks, one of the three greatest living symphonists (and the youngest!).
I wrote to him to let him now how much I appreciated the latest Bis disk (Symphonies 2, 6 and some Verlaine settings), and he tells me he hopes to have a disk with the symphonies 1 and 3 on it to complete the recorded edition of the symphonies. Don't hold your breath, it won't happen straightaway, but the idea is there.
I like your list of greatest living symphonists. Need to add in Emil Tabakov, and we are heading in the right direction 😁
The recent 2 and 6 release has been on repeat here for a few days so news of 1 and 3, however distant, is good news!
His Symphonies 2 and 5 possess this chaotic, tempestuous, baleful atmosphere I find fascinating (I had heard the 2nd on a YouTube recording, not the BIS one). The 4th did little for me, though.
Quote from: Symphonic Addict on June 02, 2024, 09:20:42 AMHis Symphonies 2 and 5 possess this chaotic, tempestuous, baleful atmosphere I find fascinating (I had heard the 2nd on a YouTube recording, not the BIS one). The 4th did little for me, though.
Great description!
I do love #4, though 😊
The disc of Symphonies 2 & 6 is a great addition to the orchestral repertoire. It's so good to see his Mass in Troubled Times that he wrote for the BBC Singers being performed in their 100th Anniversary Prom at the Bristol Beacon. I'm sure that must show their appreciation of this piece to include it in such a prestigious programme. If you haven't heard the BIS CD performance of this, I urge you to remedy that as soon as possible. While the other choral pieces on the disc are never less than good, the main work is a stunning work of virtuoso choral writing that deserves to be recognised as a pinnacle of the repertoire.
Quote from: Augustus on June 03, 2024, 08:04:38 AMThe disc of Symphonies 2 & 6 is a great addition to the orchestral repertoire. It's so good to see his Mass in Troubled Times that he wrote for the BBC Singers being performed in their 100th Anniversary Prom at the Bristol Beacon. I'm sure that must show their appreciation of this piece to include it in such a prestigious programme. If you haven't heard the BIS CD performance of this, I urge you to remedy that as soon as possible. While the other choral pieces on the disc are never less than good, the main work is a stunning work of virtuoso choral writing that deserves to be recognised as a pinnacle of the repertoire.
I'm not a huge fan of choral music, and masses even less so, but there are exceptions...
I will take your rec as a good reason to explore this, thank you!
Quote from: Augustus on June 03, 2024, 08:04:38 AMIt's so good to see his Mass in Troubled Times that he wrote for the BBC Singers being performed in their 100th Anniversary Prom at the Bristol Beacon. I'm sure that must show their appreciation of this piece to include it in such a prestigious programme. If you haven't heard the BIS CD performance of this, I urge you to remedy that as soon as possible. While the other choral pieces on the disc are never less than good, the main work is a stunning work of virtuoso choral writing that deserves to be recognised as a pinnacle of the repertoire.
I was recently enthusing about this Pickard disc above. It's good to see it's just been shortlisted for the 'Contemporary' category in the 2024 Gramophone Awards, so others obviously agree with me on its quality. A timely reminder also that the Bristol Proms broadcast of the Mass in Troubled Times is tomorrow afternoon (Aug 25th) on Radio 3.