Brian 11/15

[eschiss1]

Possibly outside the remit of this forum, but nothing ventured nothing gained.
Naxos is releasing their first new (I think??...) CD - 8.572014 - of Havergal Brian's music in some time - symphonies 11 (1954) and 15 (in A, 1960) and two early concert/comedy overtures/tone poems.  (No. 11 begins with an extremely passive-quiet contrapuntal piece really unique in his output, continues through a scherzo of sorts into an active finale; no. 15 is in three connected movements the first and third of which are - rather jokey.  Not my favorite Brian (no. 15 is rather less good e.g. than no. 16 which followed, which is on a Lyrita CD)  - I have radio tapes of both symphonies - but good and enjoyable in my honest opinion.)
(Not the best "review" possible of the works in advance of release, I know. Still very glad to see the recording anyway, and I like no. 11 more than it sounds like I do. Especially that first movement. Looking forward to hearing the overtures.)
http://www.mdt.co.uk/MDTSite/product/NR_July10/8572014.htm
Eric

[albion]

This is not a new recording, but is a very welcome re-release of a previous Marco Polo issue:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Brian-Symphonies-Nos-11-15/dp/B00004GLLV/ref=sr_1_34?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1276983599&sr=8-34

One of the best-performed of the aborted 'Brian Cycle', it is well worth acquiring in its new guise, especially as the out-of-print Marco Polo incarnation is selling for ridiculous prices!

[eschiss1]

This is not a new recording, but is a very welcome re-release of a previous Marco Polo issue:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Brian-Symphonies-Nos-11-15/dp/B00004GLLV/ref=sr_1_34?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1276983599&sr=8-34

One of the best-performed of the aborted 'Brian Cycle', it is well worth acquiring in its new guise, especially as the out-of-print Marco Polo incarnation is selling for ridiculous prices!

Ah, thanks Hrm. The Toccata Classics recording of piano music (and much-awaited 2nd volume of critical writings) fall better under the category than this issue, then...
Eric

[Alan Howe]

No problem with discussions of Brian here - thorny and gruff he may be, but he's working within a tonal framework.