Arthur Butterworth(1923-)

Dundonnell · March 01, 2009, 05:57:16 AM

Quote from: vandermolen on February 28, 2009, 03:19:45 PM
I'll phone Dutton on Monday and let you know what they say. I was very surprised how quickly the CPO CD arrived from Germany.

Please do that, Jeffrey

Hearing that the disc can be obtained in only three days from Amazon UK has made me even more annoyed(this seems to be a day for making me angry

)

vandermolen · March 01, 2009, 02:41:37 PM

Quote from: Dundonnell on March 01, 2009, 05:57:16 AM
Please do that, Jeffrey

Hearing that the disc can be obtained in only three days from Amazon UK has made me even more annoyed(this seems to be a day for making me angry )

I played Symphony No 4 again today and like it more and more. I shall definitely buy the CD (it should arrive in time for the London Olympics

). I can't however face more that a minute or two of the interview with composer. I'm sure that it's really interesting but Butterworth has a very annoying voice

Sean · March 01, 2009, 03:23:17 PM

Dundonnell

Quote from: Dundonnell on March 01, 2009, 05:54:56 AM
The Fifth??

Oh dear. I keep a record of the music I explore and the piece I had would have been either a radio recording or something online: my notes say No.5 but I can see he's written only four and must have typed in the wrong number, which I'm only going to sort out if I get to listen to the piece again... This is rather distressing for a listophile.

Dundonnell · March 01, 2009, 04:45:53 PM

Quote from: Sean on March 01, 2009, 03:23:17 PM
Dundonnell

Oh dear. I keep a record of the music I explore and the piece I had would have been either a radio recording or something online: my notes say No.5 but I can see he's written only four and must have typed in the wrong number, which I'm only going to sort out if I get to listen to the piece again... This is rather distressing for a listophile.

No, no..you could well have heard Butterworth's 5th Symphony! He has written six in total. I assumed that you were referring to a cd recording. The first performance of No. 5 was given by the BBC Philharmonic Orchestra in a radio broadcast in 2003. That broadcast may be when you heard the piece.

vandermolen · March 02, 2009, 02:29:35 AM

Colin,

Your mail box is full. I phoned Dutton - there was a fault with the David Matthews CD. The whole original pressing had to be returned to the factory. Dutton have them back in stock today. They said no problem with any of the others - so you should really have received the Arthur Butterworth by now from Presto.

Jeffrey

Dundonnell · March 02, 2009, 04:32:38 AM

Thanks for that, Jeffrey! Will email Presto.

Dundonnell · March 02, 2009, 07:40:22 AM

The Butterworth and the Arnell cds are now en route to me

Apparently Presto do not send out part-orders unless specifically requested to do so! My fault for missing that info'...but it is an odd aspect of their ordering system(MDT don't hold back orders until they are complete).

Dundonnell · March 10, 2009, 07:40:49 AM

I have now had time to listen to the Butterworth 4th Symphony and the Viola Concerto.

Ok, ok...I am now prepared to admit that my fulsome enthisiasm for Butterworth's music may have been a bit over the top

I agree with Jeffrey that the 4th symphony is a good piece but the indebtedness to Sibelius-without any of his orginality-is too obvious and the Viola Concerto is not as appealing as the recent Stanley Bate.

I can't say that I was quite as irked as Jeffrey by the Butterworth talk on the first cd although it was not so interesting that I would want to hear it again and again. I would have thought though that years of study at Lancaster University would have innured Jeffrey to northern accents

vandermolen · March 15, 2009, 09:35:22 AM

I have finally got round to listening right through the talk by Artur Butterworth - and enjoyed it - especially the details of his youthul encounters with Vaughan Williams (who seems to have given Butterworth advice on the basis of his surname - shared with his old friend, killed in the First World War, George Butterworth).

I listen to Butterworth's 4th Symphony a lot at the moment - it is rather derivative of Sibelius, Bax and Moeran but still very enjoyable.

Dundonnell · March 15, 2009, 01:56:22 PM

At this rate, Jeffrey, you are going to end up being a bigger fan of Butterworth than I am

schweitzeralan · March 24, 2009, 01:24:46 PM

Quote from: schweitzeralan on February 28, 2009, 07:09:46 PM
Just acquired the 4th Symphony in rapid time from Amazon.UK. Only three days in fact. I heard the Symphony and the Viola Concerto and was reasonably impressed. The 4th as well as the Concerto are quite Nordic with considerable Sibelian presence. The Baxian influence tends to be somewhat more noticeable here than in the 1st. I have yet to hear the Barbarolli's performance on the second disc. At first hearing I appreciated the modality, the harmonies and the Sibelianism; however, much of what I did surmise was a certain lack of direction. But, then again, this was assumed after one listening. The 4th and the Viola concereto both suggested considerable English as well as Nordic persuasions.

I stand by my erswhile opinion of the Butterworth First Symphony. I much prefer the Fourth and, surprisingly enough, the Violin Concerto. to be sure, these are not masterpieces; however, Im stuck with the Sibelianisms. Some Nielson and occasional Baxian influences. Those influences make me hear the two works more than once, or twice. The Butterworth monologue was interesting.

Dundonnell · March 24, 2009, 06:08:19 PM

Quote from: schweitzeralan on March 24, 2009, 01:24:46 PM
I stand by my erswhile opinion of the Butterworth First Symphony. I much prefer the Fourth and, surprisingly enough, the Violin Concerto. to be sure, these are not masterpieces; however, Im stuck with the Sibelianisms. Some Nielson and occasional Baxian influences. Those influences make me hear the two works more than once, or twice. The Butterworth monologue was interesting.

'Viola' Concerto

schweitzeralan · March 24, 2009, 06:42:17 PM

Quote from: Dundonnell on March 24, 2009, 06:08:19 PM
'Viola' Concerto

Right. My musical friend also corrected my pronumciation. It's vai-yo-la with a strong vowell, not vee-yo-la as I said it earlier. Anyway I like the work. The price was worth it.

vandermolen · March 25, 2009, 12:04:30 AM

Quote from: Dundonnell on March 15, 2009, 01:56:22 PM
At this rate, Jeffrey, you are going to end up being a bigger fan of Butterworth than I am

Oh yes (see 'six favourite symphonies by lesser-known composers' thread)

Dundonnell · March 25, 2009, 08:06:01 AM

Quote from: vandermolen on March 25, 2009, 12:04:30 AM
Oh yes (see 'six favourite symphonies by lesser-known composers' thread)

Indeed! Delighted that you are a convert

vandermolen · April 19, 2009, 05:04:20 AM

I have been listening again to Butterworth's newly released Symphony No 4. Strongly recommended - especially if you like Sibelius and Bax.

schweitzeralan · August 09, 2009, 04:23:56 AM

Butterworth's music is known and acknowledged by British cognoscenti, not to mention several enthusiasts who contribute to the various threads in this forum, primarily the one earmarked for British composers. As a general rule, however, from what little I've read about him, he is definitely not all that well known among the general British (or American public). I own 2 Cd's and have listened occasionally to two of his symphonies, as well as to the Viola Concerto. I personally like the 4th Symphony as well as moments from the Concerto and Symphony #1.

What I glean from his 4th is a distinctly recognizable Nordic persuasion whose presence can be linked primarily to Sibelius, as well as to the Danish Nielson. The music is rigorously tonal, conservative vis-a-vis the mid to late 20th century musical standards and considerations. I tend to admit that perhaps Butterworth (no relation to the earlier British composer George) may not be a "great" composer; however, in my estimation, Butterworth creates some very fine elements, or moments for me personally, in that I sense and appreciate certain harmonies, chords and dramatic passages similar to the various Sibelianisms that haunt the 4th. There are also occasional hints, or traces of Bax, another favorite of mine.

schweitzeralan · May 30, 2010, 10:44:53 AM

Quote from: vandermolen on March 01, 2009, 02:41:37 PM
I played Symphony No 4 again today and like it more and more. I shall definitely buy the CD (it should arrive in time for the London Olympics ). I can't however face more that a minute or two of the interview with composer. I'm sure that it's really interesting but Butterworth has a very annoying voice

I've posted several comments on butterworth's 4th Symphony. I just wanted to state again my sincere admiration for this work, as well as for the accompanying Viola Concerto. I've heard both works several times, and I very much like his"language," to use the mixed metaphor. Wonderful style throughout, appreciate the sibelianisms, and so forth. I would love to hear his 6th Symphony. Did he write seven? I'll have to check it out. Only the 1st and 4th are recorded. Am now waiting earnestly for his later conceived works. I can't seem, at least for now, to "get into" the 1st Symphony.

vandermolen · May 31, 2010, 12:30:08 AM

Quote from: schweitzeralan on May 30, 2010, 10:44:53 AM
I've posted several comments on butterworth's 4th Symphony. I just wanted to state again my sincere admiration for this work, as well as for the accompanying Viola Concerto. I've heard both works several times, and I very much like his"language," to use the mixed metaphor. Wonderful style throughout, appreciate th sibelianisms, and so forth. I would love to hear his 6th Symphony. did he write seven? I'll have to check it out. Only the 1st and 4th are recorded. Am now waiting earnestly for his later conceived works. I can't seem, at least for now, to "get into" the 1st Symphony.

Yes, I very much share this view but I like Symphony No 4 more and more and the ending has me on the edge of my seat. Must try to get into the Viola Concerto.

vandermolen · November 30, 2014, 09:40:51 AM

Sad to hear of his death aged 91 recently. His fine craggy Fourth Symphony should appeal to any fan of Bax, Moeran, Vaughan Williams and Sibelius. At one point it quotes from 'The Tempest' but it is a terrific work in its own right.