More on Havergal Brian

Music Lane

It's all about the music, dude! Sit down, relax and listen to some tunes.

A few weeks back I mentioned the Fanfare review of Brian's symphonies 2 and 14, on the Dutton label. I ordered it from Presto UK (not easy to find a copy, actually - not available from my usual sources), and listened to it over the past few days. Listening to a complex work like a Brian symphony once and then attempting to crystallize one's impressions is not easy, but here goes.

First, this is the best played recording of Brian's symphonies I have heard - OK, I haven't heard that many, but I don't detect the imprint of a third rate orchestra, badly rehearsed. I have heard my Marco Polo release of the Gothic symphony a few times, and it does seem to be that way.

More importantly, while Brian neither tears your guts out like Mahler, or writes unforgettable melodies, like Vaughan Williams, he does evince a number of good ideas, and end quite dramatically, after his romp of a third movement (with a choir of 16 horns!). The liner notes, by the way, are a great help to following Brian's logic. I was lost pretty quickly the first time I tried to listen to the first movement, but with the liner notes I was able to follow Brian's journey. Brian's music is, by the way, on a plane tonally with Sibelius.

So I was quite happy to spend the time with this recording, and will be listening to it again. The 14th symphony is quite different - much more abstract but also with impressive moments. Not every marginal composer impresses me in this way - I worked very hard to appreciate the symphonies of Atterberg, but found them to be utterly forgettable.

I will be listening more closely to my recording of the Gothic, and perhaps replacing that with the Brabbins recording (Brabbins is our conductor on the present release).

This post is made possible by the generous support of people like you and our sponsors:

Signature Sound

[ Signature Sound Lounge ]

Topic - More on Havergal Brian - TGR 16:50:14 02/16/17 (4)

Thanks for report. Brian uncharted territory for me. nt - jdaniel@jps.net 21:13:57 02/16/17 (1)

And for most people, I suspect - TGR 12:38:47 02/17/17 (0)

RE: More on Havergal Brian - ahendler 17:49:32 02/16/17 (1)

RE: Agreed - csofan 06:29:13 02/17/17 (0)

FAQ

Post a Message!

Forgot Password?

Moniker (Username):
Password (Optional):
	Remember my Moniker & Password (What's this?) Eat Me
E-Mail (Optional):
Subject:

Message:	(Posts are subject to Content Rules)

Optional Link URL:
Optional Link Title:
Optional Image URL:
Upload Image:
E-mail Replies:	Automagically notify you when someone responds.

To view your new posting or follow-up, click on the RELOAD or REFRESH button on your browser.