What Classical Music Are You listening to Now? IV

[Master Jacques]

Bax work most influenced by Debussy must be the Elegiac Trio....his chamber music grows in my esteem by the day!

Yes, along with his other chamber music involving harp - it's little wonder that there has been a surge in French performances of his music for small ensembles. Like you, I love it more and more with the years.

The Irish element accounts for his popularity in music colleges: many students love playing his chamber music. (Much to the dismay of some of their professors: a rather well-known composer-teacher opined to me with a sigh that his students nowadays were more interested in Bax than Stravinsky, though for the life of him he couldn't see why!)

The idea of BaL showing any interest in Bax beyond Tintagel is sadly fanciful!

[Barbirollians]

Bax music for film of Oliver Twist - BBCPO/Gamba

[Roger Webb]

Bax music for film of Oliver Twist - BBCPO/Gamba

Lots of Bax being played today/recently! I've just played the works for cello and piano on ASV CD DCA 896, the Sonata so reminiscent of the Rachmaninov in places, and of course the themes from Spring Fire make it a memorable piece....surprising more cellists don't take it up.

Talking of Bax's film music reminds me of a memorable visit to Malta for the baroque festival a few years ago...I worked on a radio station there in the very early 70s, and go back now and then. I had always meant to track down the MS of Bax"s score for the film Malta GC, which was listed as being at the National Library, Valletta. I made an appointment and at the alloted hour a librarian led me to a desk where it was placed on a rack and I was left for half an hour to read it.

BTW well worth combining a holiday on this lovely little island with a visit to the festival....many of the events are held in the fabulous little Manoel Theatre....a baroque gem that often stood in for La Fenice in films!

[silvestrione]

I've enjoyed Tintagel. What Bax should I listen to next, to take me (cautiously) further?

[Master Jacques]

Talking of Bax's film music reminds me of a memorable visit to Malta for the baroque festival a few years ago...I worked on a radio station there in the very early 70s, and go back now and then. I had always meant to track down the MS of Bax"s score for the film Malta GC, which was listed as being at the National Library, Valletta. I made an appointment and at the alloted hour a librarian led me to a desk where it was placed on a rack and I was left for half an hour to read it.

The Malta G.C. music is very good. Baxians may be interested to note that Rumon Gamba's Chandos recording (BBC Philharmonic) only includes Part 1 of Bax's score (11:40). Part 2 (12:28) was recorded at the same session, but nobody had reckoned on the Oliver Twist score running for as long as it did, and there was no room for Part 2 on the CD. Chandos have yet to release Part 2 - and probably now it will never be officially available, which is a great shame.

The same may well be true for the long-promised remastering of Bryden Thomson's pioneering set of the complete symphonies. Chandos were well aware that the antiquated CD issues sounded compressed and crude compared to the original LP sound, and the remastering project remained on their "to do" list, after being put on ice by the Handley/BBCPO project.

Fortunately they got round to remastering the Margaret Fingerhut/Thomson Symphonic Variations beautifully: the difference between the early and late CD issues is great. There's more about this (and the Hatto CD issue) here:

https://www.arnoldbax.com/bax-symphonic-variations-reissues-reviewed-by-christopher-webber/

[Roger Webb]

The Malta G.C. music is very good. Baxians may be interested to note that Rumon Gamba's Chandos recording (BBC Philharmonic) only includes Part 1 of Bax's score,..............

The same may well be true for the long-promised remastering of Bryden Thomson's pioneering set of the complete symphonies...............

The Malta GC music was issued complete on Lp on CNR 7012...shame about the Chandos!

Shame also about the Thomson symphony set. I have all the CDs separately, and, along with the Lyrita 1, 2, 5, 6 and 7 on Lp are the mainstay of my Bax symphony listening...I have Handley/BBC Phil. stored to Qobuz and like these very much.

Earlier we were talking about the Guildford/Handley 4th, so I got out my Lp of it on Revolution RCF 002. I haven't heard the Concert Artist CD as I said before, but playing the Lp - which plays very well; almost without blemish - I thought the performance a bit rough for orchestral playing, and coupled with the boxy sound, I don't think it measures up to any of the subsequent performances I've heard...my recommendation would be the Handley/BBC Phil. Sorry to be negative about the Guildford recording - looking online the Lp sells for quite some cash....my almost pristine copy, maybe a bit more

[smittims]

Thanks forthe mention of those other neglected British Symphonies, Roger,all on Lyrita, I think. I remember especially being pleased by the Rootham when it came out (with a Holbrooke coupling).

One of my fondest Bax memories was discovering the Legend for viola and piano on a Delta Lp owned by a friend at a time (1960's) when very little Bax was available on disc . It was later reissued by 'Barry's' Summit label and I was pleased to find a copy last year . Among the first Bax I came to know well was the cello and piano works played by Florence Hooton and Wilfred Parry on Lyrita Lps.

[Master Jacques]

The Malta GC music was issued complete on Lp on CNR 7012...shame about the Chandos

Yes, Kenneth Alwyn's Oliver Twist excerpts and Malta G.C. performances are a bit rough and ready, and had some textual problems too, but they're still valuable. They were available on CD too, and then on an ASV compilation CD, coupled with Arnold's music for The Sound Barrier.

Chandos commissioned Graham Parlett to edit both Oliver Twist and the Malta G.C. music for the Rumon Gamba sessions. He spent a lot of time watching the films intensively, to rescue short sections of both scores which had not made it to the official suites. There was a lot of material for Twist, and a few extra bars for Malta G.C. - which is what made the failure to issue Part 2 a pity. At least for completists!

[Roger Webb]

Thanks forthe mention of those other neglected British Symphonies, Roger,all on Lyrita, I think. I remember especially being pleased by the Rootham when it came out (with a Holbrooke coupling).

Yes all Lyrita LPs except the Arnold 2nd, which I play from the Handley/RPO version recorded originally Conifer, but now gathered with the other Arnold Syms in a Decca box 466 533-7.

If you're going to go Arnold/Lyrita, then it has to be SRCS 109, the national dances.

[Master Jacques]

I've enjoyed Tintagel. What Bax should I listen to next, to take me (cautiously) further?

If we're talking orchestral music, then I would suggest:

Garden of Fand (Barbirolli on Dutton, or Handley on Chandos).
November Woods (Handley on Chandos, or Boult on Lyrita)
Spring Fire (Elder on the Hallé's label, Handley on Chandos)
In Memoriam (Handley on Chandos, rather than Elder)

and if you like those....
Symphony No.6 (Del Mar, Lyrita)
Symphony No.3 (Barbirolli, EMI or Dutton)

That's probably enough to be going on with!

The two great tone poems and the early symphony Spring Fire will give you an idea of whether Bax is for you. In Memoriam has become a hit, much-played both sides of the Irish Sea since its rediscovery in 1993: the main theme was reused in Oliver Twist. (But be aware that he also wrote a chamber piece with the same title, with no musical overlap).

Part of the problem is, that Bax wrote so much that his orchestral music in particular is very variable in quality, but whatever our favourites, these six are superb works, as all Baxians would agree.

For chamber music, the Elegiac Trio (mentioned by Roger Webb) is a good place to start. As is the Piano Quintet (David Owen Norris and Mistry Quartet on Chandos; or Ashley Wass and the Tippett Quartet on Naxos).

[Master Jacques]

Earlier we were talking about the Guildford/Handley 4th, so I got out my Lp of it on Revolution RCF 002. I haven't heard the Concert Artist CD as I said before, but playing the Lp - which plays very well; almost without blemish - I thought the performance a bit rough for orchestral playing, and coupled with the boxy sound, I don't think it measures up to any of the subsequent performances I've heard...my recommendation would be the Handley/BBC Phil. Sorry to be negative about the Guildford recording - looking online the Lp sells for quite some cash....my almost pristine copy, maybe a bit more

You'll find my thoughts on the CD version of the Guildford performance - and the improved sound - here, for what they're worth!

https://sirarnoldbaxsociety.com/reviews/blog/7462697/handley-s-first-bax-4th-concert-artist-reviewed-by-christopher-webber

Doubtless nostalgia plays its part: I got to know the work from this old LP and "imprinted" on it, especially for the last movement. But there's a pioneering spirit to it which defies the limitations you rightly highlight. Just as with the 1940s Barbirolli 3rd from EMI.

[vinteuil]

Alwyn Symphony No 5 (Hydriotaphia*)

* Known in these parts as Welsh Water.

... I cannot share yr enthusiasm for Bax and these others - but always happy to appreciate yr awful puns...

[Roger Webb]

You'll find my thoughts on the CD version of the Guildford performance - and the improved sound - here, for what they're worth!

https://sirarnoldbaxsociety.com/reviews/blog/7462697/handley-s-first-bax-4th-concert-artist-reviewed-by-christopher-webber

Doubtless nostalgia plays its part: I got to know the work from this old LP and "imprinted" on it, especially for the last movement. But there's a pioneering spirit to it which defies the limitations you rightly highlight. Just as with the 1940s Barbirolli 3rd from EMI.

I'm the same with many of those versions of other works that I got to know first....there's a certain magic in the memories such pieces of vinyl have locked in them...to be opened only by those who hold the key!

And thanks for the various bits of info. and reviews along the way....perhaps between us we've enthused a couple of listeners new to Bax"s genius!

I still play the Thomson/LPO version of 3rd as it's the one I took to Morar ( we actually stayed in Arisaig just up the coast).

I've only actually heard the 6th Symphony live, and that was Norman del Mar who did it in Bristol...must have been early 90s. His 6th on Lyrita is still my go-to!

[Barbirollians]

If we're talking orchestral music, then I would suggest:

Garden of Fand (Barbirolli on Dutton, or Handley on Chandos).
November Woods (Handley on Chandos, or Boult on Lyrita)
Spring Fire (Elder on the Hallé's label, Handley on Chandos)
In Memoriam (Handley on Chandos, rather than Elder)

and if you like those....
Symphony No.6 (Del Mar, Lyrita)
Symphony No.3 (Barbirolli, EMI or Dutton)

That's probably enough to be going on with!

The two great tone poems and the early symphony Spring Fire will give you an idea of whether Bax is for you. In Memoriam has become a hit, much-played both sides of the Irish Sea since its rediscovery in 1993: the main theme was reused in Oliver Twist. (But be aware that he also wrote a chamber piece with the same title, with no musical overlap).

Part of the problem is, that Bax wrote so much that his orchestral music in particular is very variable in quality, but whatever our favourites, these six are superb works, as all Baxians would agree.

For chamber music, the Elegiac Trio (mentioned by Roger Webb) is a good place to start. As is the Piano Quintet (David Owen Norris and Mistry Quartet on Chandos; or Ashley Wass and the Tippett Quartet on Naxos).

Let's not forget the Violin Concerto with Boult and Eda Kersey on that Dutton disc if it still around. A marvellous performance from the soloist who was tragically to die later that year of stomach cancer .

[Roger Webb]

... I cannot share yr enthusiasm for Bax and these others - but always happy to appreciate yr awful puns...

......and these others....leaves it a bit wide in scope! Is it just the aforementioned, or the species (ie modern romantics of the English Musical Renaissance) as a whole that displeases you? To blame a whole tribe for the sins of the few seems harsh!

I'm glad you're happy with the puns.......applied to them, the adjective 'awful' is only trumped by 'appalling' as a term of admiration.