Walford Davies Symphony 2 at EMF

[eschiss1]

Ah, thank you.

[jksteven]

  This is a wonderful find. I hope we hear more of this composer, especially any further symphonies he may have composed. Thank you so much for uploading this!

[Alan Howe]

I've just been revisiting Walford Davies' 2nd Symphony, finding it a much more interesting work than the last time I listened. Its besetting problem is its lack of really memorable melodic material, but its idiom (definitely Elgar, but with a certain element of whimsy in the mix) is very attractive and the handling of the orchestra masterly. It's a shame no recording has (yet) emerged, but the (excellent) recording of the radio broadcast is a thoroughly commendable stop-gap. Do give it another listen...

[Jimfin]

Yeah, I've been very fond of it for a while. I would like to hear more of Davies' work. I really like "Everyman" too, which is available on Dutton.

[semloh]

His Elgarian Solemn Melody appears on the Marco Polo CD, Welsh Classical Favourites, but it is very short!

[musiclover]

Alan, I re listened to the Symphony yesterday. It is a work that has grown on me since that EMF performance, which was blisteringly good I thought. I agree with you; it is worth recording isn't it?
Maybe we should bombard Dutton with emails, suggesting a complete Walford Davies programme....maybe the early Symphony or the piece for Piano and Orchestra, conversation I think it's called. I particularly love the first and last movements of the 2nd Symphony.