William Alwyn

[kyjo]

The slow movement of 1st String Quartet is for me the most beautiful moment in all English chamber music. Starts in an ordinary way and then half way through the movement a stunning metamorphosis.

Yes, I know exactly the magical passage in the middle of the slow movement that you're referring to! In fact, the whole 1st Quartet is excellent and much more appealing to my ears than Nos. 2 and 3. I've yet to hear any of the other chamber works that Cesar mentioned.

[Symphonic Addict]

The slow movement of 1st String Quartet is for me the most beautiful moment in all English chamber music. Starts in an ordinary way and then half way through the movement a stunning metamorphosis.

Regarding the string quartets, I don't remember specific moments from them, but most of them are very impressive. On this occasion I wanted to focus on chamber works aside those pieces. The exploration was rather worthwhile to say the least!

[foxandpeng]

Lately I've been enthralled by these two recordings of chamber works:



After several years enjoying his symphonies, concertos, film music and his opera Miss Julie, I'm satisfied for the high quality of these pieces too. The roguish Clarinet Sonata, the lyrical Viola Sonatina, the sweet Violin Sonatina and the serious yet rigurous String Trio represent the most fascinating stuff thus far. Great music.

I don't really know these at all. Appreciate your reflections. Time to listen to these too.

[Maestro267]

I find the numbering of Alwyn's string quartets confusing. Are the Naxos 1-3 actually 1-3 cos didn't he write a ton of early quartets that are seeing the light of day now?

[Symphonic Addict]

He wrote 13 string quartets in total. Only Nos. 4 and 5 remain unrecorded. I assume the first three are the last ones because of their more complex writing.

[Irons]

He wrote 13 string quartets in total. Only Nos. 4 and 5 remain unrecorded. I assume the first three are the last ones because of their more complex writing.

His 1st dates from 1920 when he was just 15 years old. Twelve followed between 1923 and 1936. Alwyn later became dissatisfied with these attempts at SQ writing. The first of his mature SQ's (No.1) dates from 1953.

I obtained this information from the booklet of a Somm CD.

[Symphonic Addict]

His 1st dates from 1920 when he was just 15 years old. Twelve followed between 1923 and 1936. Alwyn later became dissatisfied with these attempts at SQ writing. The first of his mature SQ's (No.1) dates from 1953.

I obtained this information from the booklet of a Somm CD.

That's very helpful as Wikipedia only lists the real last three.

[Symphonic Addict]

As far as English piano concertos go, Alwyn's two exemplars must be counted among the most super-romantic ones. Mightily impressed once again by this heart-on-sleeve music. In spite of the relative brevity of the first PC, it packs a good deal of ear-fetching ideas, and the second PC is even better, offering a generous display of ardent passion and sensuality (the climax at 6:15 mark in the 1st movement is to die for!) and ferocity (the 3rd movement is particularly impactful in that regard). Stunning pieces.




For something different in mood, the Autumn Legend for english horn and strings is the perfect contrasting work. An utterly haunting, atmospheric creation that bewitches with its rather somber nature. The first half is tinged with a dark hue, whereas the second one has a more pastoral feel to it. It's nothing but eloquent music of the most exceptional quality.