performed by Jean Efflam-Bavouzet and the London Philharmonic under Vladimir Jurowski “My first concerto […] I consider it a successful work, although its style is up to a point difficult, perhaps even very difficult for the orchestra and the public.” … Continue reading Bartók Piano Concerto no. 1, Sz. 83, BB 91
performed by the London Philharmonic Orchestra under the composer’s baton, or below with the London Symphony Orchestra under Richard Hickox They have an original development of their own, and they will be looked at in the future as being something … Continue reading William Alwyn: Symphony no. 1
performed by the New Russia State Symphony Orchestra under Alexander Walker, or below by the London Philharmonic Orchestra under Myer Fredman It’s not the Gothic. Yet. William Havergal Brian was born 29 January, 1876 in Dresden, Stoke-on-Trent. Wikipedia says he “was … Continue reading Havergal Brian: Symphony no. 6 ‘Sinfonia Tragica’
performed by the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra under André Previn, or below by the London Philharmonic under Bryden Thomson …Walton’s Symphony No 1 is a free, strong, individual utterance, as far beyond mere imitation as, say, the Brahms First is in … Continue reading Sir William Walton: Symphony no. 1 in B flat minor
performed by the London Philharmonic Orchestra under Bryden Thomson It’s odd, you know. A few things, really. For one, that this piece, somehow, was the 23rd piece I chose to write about back when I started writing this blog, when I … Continue reading Revisit: Bax Symphony no. 1
performed by the London Philharmonic Orchestra under Sir Adrian Boult third and fourth movements here Ralph Vaughan Williams was born on 12 October, 1872 at Down Ampney, Gloucestershire to Rev. Arthur Vaughan Williams, of English and Welsh ancestry, with backgrounds … Continue reading Ralph Vaughan Williams: A London Symphony
performed by the London Philharmonic Orchestra under Mathias Bamert Sir Charles Hubert Hastings Parry, 1st Baronet was born in Bournemouth, the youngest of six children, on February 27, 1848. Three of his siblings died in infancy, and his mother died only … Continue reading Sir Hubert Parry: Symphony no. 3 ‘The English’
performed by David Pyatt and the London Philharmonic Orchestra under Nicholas Braithwaite, or below by Alan Civil and the Bournemouth Sinfonietta under Normal Del Mar Sir Malcolm Henry Arnold was born on October 21, 1921, in Northampton, the youngest of … Continue reading Sir Malcolm Arnold: Horn Concerto no. 2, op. 58
performed by David Pyatt and the London Philharmonic under Nicholas Braithwaite, or below in a piano reduction by Gerardo Diaz, horn; Alex Marshall, piano I personally feel repelled by the intellectual snobbery of some progressive artists… the day that melody is … Continue reading Gordon Jacob: Concerto for Horn and Strings
performed by Truls Mørk and the London Philharmonic Orchestra under Mariss Jansons, or below with Mstislav Rostropovich and the Philadelphia Orchestra under Eugene Ormandy (or in a preferred recording with Rostropovich and the London Symphony under Charles Groves) This work is just… … Continue reading Shostakovich Cello Concerto no. 1 in E-flat, op. 107
performed by the London Philharmonic under Sir Adrian Boult second and third movements Meet Robert Simpson, one of the greatest discoveries of my musical digging, and one of the most compelling symphonists of the 20th century. Robert Wilfred Levick Simpson … Continue reading Robert Simpson: Symphony no. 1
performed by Salvatore Accardo and the London Philharmonic under Charles Dutoit It’s Paganini! How haven’t we done Paganini here yet? His name has only (to my recollection) been uttered on these pages in the context of an incredible concert earlier this year where … Continue reading Niccolò Paganini: Violin Concerto No. 5 in A minor
Fugue for Thought 