Havergal Brian.

cilgwyn · November 20, 2025, 03:22:47 AM

Quote from: vandermolen on November 19, 2025, 03:11:00 AMVery nice to see you back here. I was at that concert!

And a transforming one I can imagine! I presume you will still be able to hear the choir boy fainting? It doesn't spoil the flow of the music at all,but it's quite audible. The 'letter'from the Danish paper "information" on the hbs website provides more insight and makes interesting (& entertaining) reading. Ole Schmidt saying that when he heard it his first thought was that one of the drummers had suffered heart failiure!

https://www.havergalbrian.org/articles/sym1_4.php Brev fra London / Letter from London: the Schmidt performance, 1980

vandermolen · November 20, 2025, 08:20:47 AM

Quote from: cilgwyn on November 20, 2025, 03:22:47 AMAnd a transforming one I can imagine! I presume you will still be able to hear the choir boy fainting? It doesn't spoil the flow of the music at all,but it's quite audible. The 'letter'from the Danish paper "information" on the hbs website provides more insight and makes interesting (& entertaining) reading. Ole Schmidt saying that when he heard it his first thought was that one of the drummers had suffered heart failiure!

https://www.havergalbrian.org/articles/sym1_4.php Brev fra London / Letter from London: the Schmidt performance, 1980

Interesting. I wasn't aware of the fainting choirboy.

vandermolen · January 24, 2026, 01:35:10 AM

Am pleased to see this release. As I mentioned I was at this 1981 concert (first time I heard the 'Gothic Symphony') and it will be a great addition to my ever growing CD collection

relm1 · January 24, 2026, 05:44:54 AM

Quote from: vandermolen on January 24, 2026, 01:35:10 AMAm pleased to see this release. As I mentioned I was at this 1981 concert (first time I heard the 'Gothic Symphony') and it will be a great addition to my ever growing CD collection

That must have been an amazing experience. Had you already known his music or were you the type that just went to see anything even if you didn't already know the composer's music?

vandermolen · January 25, 2026, 01:07:12 AM

Quote from: relm1 on January 24, 2026, 05:44:54 AMThat must have been an amazing experience. Had you already known his music or were you the type that just went to see anything even if you didn't already know the composer's music?

Interesting question. I remember the concert well although it was many decades ago. AFAIK I had at least one Brian LP in my colllection on CBS with the Leicestershire SSO and featuring Symphony No.22 'Brevis' and other works. I never heard the Gothic before the concert. I lived near the Albert Hall which was lucky for me.

DaveF · January 29, 2026, 09:41:10 AM

I see the Groves 8 and 9 appears as a "New Release" both on Qobuz and Presto - download only, now on Warner Classics. Is it a remaster, I wonder? I can certainly hear things I never did before, although that could be thanks to better equipment. Always good to revisit the endlessly-fascinating no.8, whatever.

Roasted Swan · January 29, 2026, 10:48:32 PM

Quote from: vandermolen on January 25, 2026, 01:07:12 AMInteresting question. I remember the concert well although it was many decades ago. AFAIK I had at least one Brian LP in my colllection on CBS with the Leicestershire SSO and featuring Symphony No.22 'Brevis' and other works. I never heard the Gothic before the concert. I lived near the Albert Hall which was lucky for me.

Was the hall full? (its a massive 5000+ seat space for those who don't know it!) Was interest in Brian really a thing in the early 80's. I was still a music student in London then and should have gone but didn't...

vandermolen · January 31, 2026, 01:42:25 AM

Quote from: Roasted Swan on January 29, 2026, 10:48:32 PMWas the hall full? (its a massive 5000+ seat space for those who don't know it!) Was interest in Brian really a thing in the early 80's. I was still a music student in London then and should have gone but didn't...

My memory is that it was quite full.