Cyril Rootham (1875-1938)

[vandermolen]

I have quite a story to tell... After several years of laborious research and typesetting work by Alistair Jones, a forgotten work by Cyril Rootham is about to be revealed.

At the Charles Kingsley 200 Festival in Eversley (Hampshire), Rootham's dramatic cantata "Andromeda" Op.18 will receive two evening performances on 14th and 15th June 2019.  You can read the full story on the website of the production company (Cantata Dramatica):
http://www.cantatadramatica.com/andromeda

I have just heard that these performances will receive Arts Council funding, which is vindication of our long struggle to get this 65-minute work back into the repertoire. Composed in 1905, "Andromeda" has not been performed since its premiere at the Bristol Music Festival in 1908 - welcome back!

For those who would like to hear and see this work performed live at the Festival, here is their box office link:
https://ck200.live/viewevent/andromeda-outdoor-opera-spectacular-world-premiere

Great news Dan! Thanks for letting us know and I hope that there is a recording in due course.

[DanielR]

...I hope there is a recording in due course.

It's a small step, but here is the vocal score recording of Andromeda Op.18 made on 2nd March 2019:

• Part 1: https://rootham.org/playlist/opus_018/listen_opus018_1_perf_score.html (22:14)
• Part 2: https://rootham.org/playlist/opus_018/listen_opus018_2_perf_score.html (34:29)

And yes, it would have been a good idea to tune the Bechstein before the recording session... but pianist Raya Kostova gave a wonderful performance - the original piano reduction is almost unplayable in places.  Quintin Beer conducted with great sensitivity and really brought the work to life. My thanks to all those who helped to make this recording!

We are in the very early stages of planning a recording with full chorus and symphony orchestra, but that depends on funding and will take a few years.

[vandermolen]

It's a small step, but here is the vocal score recording of Andromeda Op.18 made on 2nd March 2019:

• Part 1: https://rootham.org/playlist/opus_018/listen_opus018_1_perf_score.html (22:14)
• Part 2: https://rootham.org/playlist/opus_018/listen_opus018_2_perf_score.html (34:29)

And yes, it would have been a good idea to tune the Bechstein before the recording session... but pianist Raya Kostova gave a wonderful performance - the original piano reduction is almost unplayable in places.  Quintin Beer conducted with great sensitivity and really brought the work to life. My thanks to all those who helped to make this recording!

We are in the very early stages of planning a recording with full chorus and symphony orchestra, but that depends on funding and will take a few years.

It sounds like an excellent work Dan - recorded in my youthful home territory of Earl's Court! I hope for a recording with symphony orchestra and chorus one day.

[vandermolen]

I don't think that I ever mentioned that Rootham's marvellous (IMO) 1st Symphony featured in the Lyrita box set of British symphonies - a great choice! I'm listening to it now. For those unfamiliar with Rootham's music, the First Symphony is a most approachable, warm-hearted and inspiriting work. I am very pleased that Rootham's grandson Daniel ('DanielR') contributed to this thread:

[DanielR]

I don't think that I ever mentioned that Rootham's marvellous (IMO) 1st Symphony featured in the Lyrita box set of British symphonies - a great choice! I'm listening to it now. For those unfamiliar with Rootham's music, the First Symphony is a most approachable, warm-hearted and inspiriting work. I am very pleased that Rootham's grandson Daniel ('DanielR') contributed to this thread

Strangely Rootham's Symphony No.1 has never yet been typeset, so that is my next "big target".  I have been involved in a previous OpenScore project, where we typeset Bruckner's Symphony No.5 with a small team of volunteers.  So I know that such a task is feasible.  At this point I have completed the empty "template" score for the first movement only.

As usual: watch this space!

[vandermolen]

Strangely Rootham's Symphony No.1 has never yet been typeset, to that is my next "big target".  I have been involved in a previous OpenScore project, where we typeset Bruckner's Symphony No.5 with a small team of volunteers.  So I know that such a task is feasible.  At this point I have completed the empty "template" score for the first movement only.

As usual: watch this space!

Interesting news - thank you Dan.

[Big David]

After reading this thread, I was motivated to listen to the Moeran cello concerto and the Rootham 1st symphony.  Both quite splendid!  Thanks very much.

[vandermolen]

After reading this thread, I was motivated to listen to the Moeran cello concerto and the Rootham 1st symphony.  Both quite splendid!  Thanks very much.

A nice programme! Two great works.

[vandermolen]

I've been thoroughly enjoying this CD again. I like every work but 'City on the West' (Bristol - where Rootham was born) is the highlight for me. Rootham was a fine and underrated composer (both symphonies are excellent in their different ways). It's a pity that the booklet does not contain the poem 'City in the West' written by Rootham's son Jasper (the father of 'DanielR'of this forum I think):

[relm1]

I've been thoroughly enjoying this CD again. I like every work but 'City on the West' (Bristol - where Rootham was born) is the highlight for me. Rootham was a fine and underrated composer (both symphonies are excellent in their different ways). It's a pity that the booklet does not contain the poem 'City in the West' written by Rootham's son Jasper (the father of 'DanielR'of this forum I think):

I happened to just listen to this on Sunday.  Very nice symphony and cantata!

[vandermolen]

I happened to just listen to this on Sunday.  Very nice symphony and cantata!

The end of the Symphony, dictated to his student Patrick Hadley by the dying Rootham, is incredibly moving.

[DanielR]

" It's a pity that the booklet does not contain the poem 'City in the West' written by Rootham's son Jasper (the father of 'DanielR' of this forum I think)"

Tardy reply, but yes: DanielR is indeed Cyril's grandson. And here is Jasper's poem:

    City in the West

    Behind the sunset's crimson strife,
    Invisible, there lies a place I love.
    Look in the glass of life,
    Remembrance, westward turn your face
    The woods and hills before me swell;
    The towered churches stately rise,
    To sound the chimes I know so well.

    Far, far below the River;
    I tread the steep streets again
    Once more I hear the shiver
    Of leaves in whispering rain.
    I see the ships go sliding in
    To lie at the city's heart,
    And hear the market's hum begin;
    Dreams, dreams.

    I'm far apart
    From that dear, recollected Spring
    With gentle sky and primrose pale
    Where in the dusk my heart would sing
    To hear the singing nightingale;
    And in the morning sang anew,
    As blackbirds, in the almond tree
    Cried up the sun into the blue,
    While I looked out, to see
    The early smoke curl up with sweet
    Embraces for the expectant sky:
    Then at the wind's attack, retreat
    And vanish with a sigh.

    Now, still, those hours are with me, deep
    Within; and if I cannot rest,
    They bring me to the gates of sleep,
    Till I am quite possessed,
    And drowsing, muse upon the beauty
    That is in the West
    Possessed, possessed
    So, when I see the setting sun,
    My memory flies behind it.
    If men know joy when life is done,
    It's there that I shall find it.

[calyptorhynchus]

I must admit that until today I hadn't heard of Cyril Rootham. However, reading in the thread and his Wikipedia page I was intrigued by the mention of his 1922 work Op.67 Rhapsody on "Lazarus", for double string orchestra.

There are two reasons for this: does anyone know if it uses the same tune that Vaughan Williams later used for his The Five Variants of Dives and Lazarus? and secondly did it influence Michael Tippett in the orchestra for his Concerto for Double String Orchestra?