Notes and Editorial Reviews
Naxos has been gradually transferring its incomplete Havergal Brian symphony cycle from Marco Polo to Naxos, thereby giving the music a second lease on life at a more attractive price. The disc containing
Symphonies Nos. 11 and 15 really does make the perfect introduction to Brian’s art, despite the fact that he’s best known for musical behemoths like the “Gothic” Symphony. These works, as well as the two attractive overtures, get much closer to the heart of the man; most of his symphonies are relatively short and extremely concentrated, as here, and the performances are excellent. If you enjoy the first disc, then you should have no hesitation in moving on to the second listed above,
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two symphonies even more pithy than Nos. 11 and 15, plus the quirky Fantastic Variations on “Three Blind Mice”. In short, it’s good to see these discs available again.
-- David Hurwitz, ClassicsToday.com
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Works on This Recording
1.
Symphony no 25 in A minor by Havergal Brian
Conductor:
Andrew Penny
Orchestra/Ensemble:
National Symphony Orchestra of Ukraine
Period: 20th Century
Written: 1965-1966; England
2.
Symphony no 20 by Havergal Brian
Conductor:
Andrew Penny
Orchestra/Ensemble:
National Symphony Orchestra of Ukraine
Period: 20th Century
Written: 1962; England
3.
Fantastic Variations on an Old Rhyme by Havergal Brian
Conductor:
Andrew Penny
Orchestra/Ensemble:
National Symphony Orchestra of Ukraine
Period: 20th Century
Written: 1907-1908; England
Sound Samples
Fantastic Variations on an Old Rhyme: I. Andante
Fantastic Variations on an Old Rhyme: II. Allegro molto
Fantastic Variations on an Old Rhyme: III. Con moto e espressione
Fantastic Variations on an Old Rhyme: IV. Allegro vivace
Fantastic Variations on an Old Rhyme: V. Lento
Symphony No. 20 in C sharp minor: I. Adagio - Allegro agitato -
Symphony No. 20 in C sharp minor: I. (formal development section arrives) -
Symphony No. 20 in C sharp minor: I. (vigorous, highly allusive development of the first theme) -
Symphony No. 20 in C sharp minor: I. Coda
Symphony No. 20 in C sharp minor: II. Adagio ma non troppo, cantabile e sostenuto -
Symphony No. 20 in C sharp minor: II. (a bridge passage beginning with violin and flute solos) -
Symphony No. 20 in C sharp minor: II. (a development of the original polyphonic complex) -
Symphony No. 20 in C sharp minor: II. (the third span begins with a musing clarinet solo)
Symphony No. 20 in C sharp minor: III. Allegro vivo -
Symphony No. 20 in C sharp minor: III. Lento -
Symphony No. 20 in C sharp minor: III. (a kind of slow waltz, with violin solo) -
Symphony No. 20 in C sharp minor: III. Allegro -
Symphony No. 20 in C sharp minor: III. (reappearence of the rondo-theme on trombones)
Symphony No. 20 in C sharp minor: III. (fast Coda)
Symphony No. 25 in A minor: I. Allegro risoluto -
Symphony No. 25 in A minor: I. (the motto returns again to initiate an eventful development) -
Symphony No. 25 in A minor: I. (elegantly lyrical tune for oboe with flute and harp accompaniment) -
Symphony No. 25 in A minor: I. (sinister reiterations of a 3-note figure) -
Symphony No. 25 in A minor: I. (the return of the 4-note motto) -
Symphony No. 25 in A minor: I. (a mysterious episode of nagging triplet rhythms) -
Symphony No. 25 in A minor: I. Coda
Symphony No. 25 in A minor: II. Andante cantabile -
Symphony No. 25 in A minor: II. (a poignant new idea, first heard on solo oboe) -
Symphony No. 25 in A minor: II. (opening theme now returns on cellos) -
Symphony No. 25 in A minor: II. (a more defined march-music takes over) -
Symphony No. 25 in A minor: II. (final return of the main theme)
Symphony No. 25 in A minor: III. Allegro ma non tanto -
Symphony No. 25 in A minor: III. Lento -
Symphony No. 25 in A minor: III. (a little woodwind cadenza leads back to the rondo music) -
Symphony No. 25 in A minor: III. (a different and irreverent snatch of folk-song from a bassoon)
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