Sir Arnold Bax

[kyjo]

Dare I say that the First is my favorite Bax symphony, at least currently? A recent listening to the BBC Philharmonic/Handley recording on Chandos confirmed this. What an absolutely stunning debut symphony, full of drama, tension, atmosphere, memorable themes, and striking orchestration. It also contains very little of the dead spots/longueurs that occasionally affect his other symphonies. As most of you already know, it was composed in response to the Irish Civil War, a subject which informs the martial nature of the outer movements. But what really makes this symphony stand out to me amongst his other works in the form is its extraordinary slow movement, a tensely mysterious creation which rises to an absolutely gripping, imperious central climax. Pretty much all of Bax's subsequent symphonic slow movements sound positively ordinary compared to this one, IMHO of course! And Handley's rendition sounds marvelously compelling to my ears, though I know most folks here don't seem to particularly like his Bax recordings.

[lordlance]

Upcoming broadcast of Tintagel -

[Roasted Swan]

For those who are in the West of England.  A Bristol student orchestra is performing Symphony No.7 on Sunday March 30th......

https://sirarnoldbaxsociety.com/blogs/latest-news/posts/7520972/symphony-no-7-in-concert-sunday-30th-march-2025-bristol-uk

PS:  apparently they are hoping to record/video(?) the concert and post it online afterwards.......

[p30better]

I hope that emusic gets this one up quickly.  I always liked Fredman's rendering of the No 2.  Tempted to buy it as a CD.  As a reissue it's long overdue.
 

[Roasted Swan]

At the end of this month a student orchestra in Bristol are playing Symphony No.7 which I'm hoping to go and hear.

I decided I'd dip into various versions just to get the mental muscles loosened up in advance.....  On YouTube there's a really powerful performance from Vernon Handley and the BBC SSO back in 1973

This is a tremendous performance - much more thrusting and energetic than the version I (we all?!) grew up with on Lyrita (which I love too).  The sound is a bit cluttered and lacking range but the playing is excellent and Handley's interpretation quite disproves the argument that by this symphony Bax was "written out" and his music had lost the vitality of earlier years.  Well worth a listen.....

[relm1]

At the end of this month a student orchestra in Bristol are playing Symphony No.7 which I'm hoping to go and hear.

I decided I'd dip into various versions just to get the mental muscles loosened up in advance.....  On YouTube there's a really powerful performance from Vernon Handley and the BBC SSO back in 1973

This is a tremendous performance - much more thrusting and energetic than the version I (we all?!) grew up with on Lyrita (which I love too).  The sound is a bit cluttered and lacking range but the playing is excellent and Handley's interpretation quite disproves the arguement that by this symphony Bax was "written out" and his music had lost the vitality of earlier years.  Well worth a listen.....

That was an excellent performance!  The rawness helps I think but also heightens some of the more mystical moments since the dramatic contrast is heightened.

[Roasted Swan]

That was an excellent performance!  The rawness helps I think but also heightens some of the more mystical moments since the dramatic contrast is heightened.

Just so!  I must dig out Handley's later studio recording - I don't remember it having this level of drive...

[vandermolen]

Leppard is unrivalled IMHO.

[Roasted Swan]

Leppard is unrivalled IMHO.

Of course the Leppard is excellent - and as I said, probably the version most folk of the LP age(!) imprinted on.  But do listen to this Handley just becasue it brings a very different energy to the work.  Not necessarily better just different.

[vandermolen]

Of course the Leppard is excellent - and as I said, probably the version most folk of the LP age(!) imprinted on.  But do listen to this Handley just becasue it brings a very different energy to the work.  Not necessarily better just different.

Will do - thanks

[Symphonic Addict]

Listening to Bax's ballet The Truth about the Russian Dancers and is proving to be quite enjoyable. A big part of it has a glamourous distinction, even hollywoodesque at times. This "lighter" and carefree side of the composer is rather appealing if you ask me.

[arpeggio]

I had recently discovered the String Quartets of Bax (I discussed this in the "Pieces that have blown you away recently" thread.)  Since I am such an aficionado of the music of Bax, I decided to review my library to see what I am still missing.  I discovered that I am missing the following (Shame on me  );

Northern Ballade #1 (I thought I had everything Bax composed for orchestra)
Piano Trio in Bb Major
Violin Sonatas
Several other works.
I purchased the following to fill in the gaps:






There are some duplications.  I already have a recording of the Clarinet Sonata.  Now I have two.

[arpeggio]

I originally posted the following in the "Pieces that have blown you away recently" Thread.

I am an aficionado of the music of Bax.  So when I discover a work of Bax it blows me away.





The more I listen to these, the more blown away I get.  I particularly like the first two quartets.

[Irons]

Dare I say that the First is my favorite Bax symphony, at least currently? A recent listening to the BBC Philharmonic/Handley recording on Chandos confirmed this. What an absolutely stunning debut symphony, full of drama, tension, atmosphere, memorable themes, and striking orchestration. It also contains very little of the dead spots/longueurs that occasionally affect his other symphonies. As most of you already know, it was composed in response to the Irish Civil War, a subject which informs the martial nature of the outer movements. But what really makes this symphony stand out to me amongst his other works in the form is its extraordinary slow movement, a tensely mysterious creation which rises to an absolutely gripping, imperious central climax. Pretty much all of Bax's subsequent symphonic slow movements sound positively ordinary compared to this one, IMHO of course! And Handley's rendition sounds marvelously compelling to my ears, though I know most folks here don't seem to particularly like his Bax recordings.

Bax has been getting some traction recently on these pages and beyond - no bad thing. Your post inspired a 1st Symphony spin. A strong muscular work of which "Celtic twilight" has not too much presence. Although Bax claims no programme, I find that hard to believe. Irish uprising or Great War? Or likely both. Lewis Foreman quotes Bax in the notes for the Lyrita LP issue -
And when the devil's made us wise
  Each in his own peculiar hell
  With desert hearts and drunken eyes
  We're free to sentimentalize
  By corners where the martyrs fell. 

[Irons]

Next up, Symphony No.2 with same forces.



Same format as 1st Symphony with first movement taking a full LP side and 2nd and 3rd on reverse. More of an undercurrent of strength compared with the 1st but not diminished at all.
Both symphonies recorded at Walthamstow by Kenneth Wilkinson over a three day period - 29/30 September & 1st October 1970.

[Roasted Swan]

Next up, Symphony No.2 with same forces.



Same format as 1st Symphony with first movement taking a full LP side and 2nd and 3rd on reverse. More of an undercurrent of strength compared with the 1st but not diminished at all.
Both symphonies recorded at Walthamstow by Kenneth Wilkinson over a three day period - 29/30 September & 1st October 1970.

SUCH fantastic versions of great works....

[Irons]

SUCH fantastic versions of great works....

Three days of endeavour of which we are talking, more importantly listening, 55 years later!

[Irons]

Some to go yet so not set in stone, but Symphony No.3 is I think, the stand out of the seven. Not so driven as 1 & 2 although a mood of malevolence does rise to the surface on occasions. At others, we enter the twilight world of the tone poems. Talking of which, if any British composer has written a melody as beautiful as that of the coda of the last movement I'll eat my hat (if I wore one).
My one great regret is that Edward Downes didn't record more Bax. A full symphony cycle or some tone poems at least! Far as I am aware this is it from Downes and to add insult to injury no CD release of an outstanding Bax symphonic rendition plus a magical 'The Happy Forest'.   

[arpeggio]

The Third is also my favorite.

I like symphonies that have quite endings.

[arpeggio]

Right now, I am going through the CD's I purchased that I posted about.