I think Robin deserves his own thread. He wasn't the man to write big stuff but he excelled very much in songs and finely crafted miniatures.
However, there are plans to record a few of his larger orchestral works. As Peter Hunter of the Milford Trust kindly told me, these are:
Concertino for Harpsichord and Strings op. 20 (1929)
Pastoral Fantasy, Op. 23, for small orchestra with violin solo (1930)
Symphony op. 34 (1933)
Concerto Grosso op. 46 (1936)
Violin Concerto op. 47 (1937)
'Ariel' Prelude op. 54 (1940)
More details are not known at the moment but the Symphony will be performed at next year's English Music Festival.
Very interesting - thanks! Do you know anything about his style?
Vaughan Williams - Finzi. Pastoral, gentle, sad without RVWs anger. Finzi and RVW were his closest musical friends and primary supporters. When Finzi died in 1956 and RVW in 1958, Milford was devastated and it was one reason, it's believed, that he committed suicide in 1959.
Great news!!!! ;D
I'll write to Peter for more details. Some time ago, he told me about the plans to record the Symphony and The Darkhling Trush with the RSNO or the Bournemouth Symphony (by the way, for the anniversary in 2009, I wrote to Dutton, Chandos, Naxos, Hyperion and Toccata about Milford, but I never received any answer). It'd be fantastic to listen these music of this neglected master... and perhaps, his operas, masques and oratorios later...
By the way, I uploaded some of his works (conducted by Christopher Finzi) in the Broadcasts section. Very recommendable
Well, he comitted suicide for a number of reasons... He had an intense depression since the dead of his son (he even received electroshock therapy). But in my opinion, the main reason was the decision of the OUP to remove his music from their catalogue (sadly paradoxical... his father was the head of this editorial for decades). Furthermore, Finzi never told him about his illness.... the surprise left him devastated.
As I said, the loss of RVW and Finzi was one reason. He'd carried Barnaby's death with him for many years and tried suicide unsuccessfully several other times. The deaths of RVW and Finzi plus OUP's decision to scrap his stuff were more immediate. No one can ever know the real reasons for a suicide. Just guesswork.
There is a beautiful Hyperion disc entitled 'Fishing by Moonlight'. Finzi comes to mind quite a lot (Dies Natalis in particular). It is ideal late night listening and is one of the few discs I can play regardless of what mood I am in. I strongle recommend the CD. 'Go, little book - Suite for flute, soprano and strings' is my favourite work on the CD - a lovely work. He wrote a Symphony which Vaughan Williams apparently thought highly of.
I think you can listen a digital mp3 recording of the symphony in the Milford Trust website. The first movement is pretty good.
I've searched for the mp3, but with no success. Can you supply a link, please?
As far as I can see the only links given for the symphony are related to a beautifully re-set full orchestral score, not a recording -
http://www.robinmilfordtrust.org.uk/work03.htm (http://www.robinmilfordtrust.org.uk/work03.htm)
:)
Yep, same query from me...
Quote from: Albion on Sunday 11 December 2011, 11:13
As far as I can see the only links given for the symphony are related to a beautifully re-set full orchestral score, not a recording -
http://www.robinmilfordtrust.org.uk/work03.htm (http://www.robinmilfordtrust.org.uk/work03.htm)
:)
You have to click on the blue note symbol to start playback of each movement. Or you can right-click and chose 'save as' or something like that! ;) :)
It's however not a 'recording' but a midi.
Ah! Thanks very much - listening now!
:)
Thanks Mathias, it's not the most accessible site!
actually it's an mp3 file, not a midi. Of course, it's not a real interpretation, but so far, it's the only form to know this work :)
Quote from: Steppenwolf on Sunday 11 December 2011, 14:34
actually it's an mp3 file, not a midi. Of course, it's not a real interpretation, but so far, it's the only form to know this work :)
Well, midi converted into mp3. The notation software is midi-based. But you are right, of course: it's as yet the only way to hear this work.
However, I have hesitated so far, having made some disappointing experiences with that kind of 'abstract sound': I have come to learn a few pieces of music that way but it didn't convince me. Sadly, when I later heard real recordings I couldn't get those old midi sounds out of my head. I don't wont Robin suffer the same fate...
On the other hand: I use notation software myself to listen to my own music. But then, my own stuff wil never ever be performed or recorded. ;) ;D ;D ;D
Well, we can have a computer and a good notation software, but not an own orchestra... That's the problem ;)
I tried to transcribe the entire symphony with a better orchestral sound (with the finale 2011)... but, it's a hard long work... and, after all, this isn't a real orchestra. So, better to wait. I'm sure this symphony will be recorded soon.
This from my Milford contact today: "I am delighted to say that there is some more movement on the symphony as there is now a possible second body interested in its performance. There has been silence with the first group since we were last in touch. Obviously there wont be any more news now until 2012."
Quote from: Steppenwolf on Sunday 11 December 2011, 16:22
I'm sure this symphony will be recorded soon.
And it has! Just uploaded its world premiere recording, which was done last year at the English Music Festival. Martin Yates with the BBC Concert Orchestra.
Very romantic sound for its time. The first movement stands out to me the most, with the short theme at the beginning that is recreated at the end with the French horns.
How may I obtain a copy, please?
Justin has posted it in our Downloads Board (http://www.unsungcomposers.com/forum/index.php/topic,8035.msg84229.html#msg84229), Gareth.
Yes, sorry. There was probably a delay between this announcement and it showing up on the downloads board.
Thank you for uploading the symphony, Justin. Another beloved English composer. :)
There's a review of the Dorchester concert here:
https://arcana.fm/2019/05/28/english-music-festival-bbc-co-martin-yates/ (https://arcana.fm/2019/05/28/english-music-festival-bbc-co-martin-yates/)
I note that the Robin Milford Trust names this as "First Symphony, Op.34", as distinct from the "Symphony No.1", of unknown date. I was also unable to find the movement titles.
London Music Press has the score, and they call it "Symphony No. 2."
https://www.londonmusicpress.com/orchestral-woks/robin-milford-symphony-no2-full-score (https://www.londonmusicpress.com/orchestral-woks/robin-milford-symphony-no2-full-score)
For 390 pounds, we can find out the movement titles. ;D
Maybe email the Milford Trust and/or London Music Press and just ask the movement headers before buying expensive parts (not score, apparently...) in order to answer just one question, though. :)
I have a copy of the score of the Milford Symphony, supplied to me many years ago, at an extremely modest fee, by The Milford Trust. The movements are:
1. Andante
2. Scherzo - Allegro
3. Lento
4. Allegro
I also have a full set of printed parts, should any orchestra wish to perform it.
Thanks for the movement titles, Gareth. It's a well written, imaginatively scored and very accessible work, but I do feel that it's rather let down by the short, breezily repetitive finale.
Yes - thanks, Gareth. I have added the movement titles to the details on the download page.
Quotebefore buying expensive parts (not score, apparently...)
Yes. The score is advertised at £25.
Wonderful! Thank you, Gareth.
It's strange, though. I wouldn't consider the first movement to be Andante, although it is quite lyrical.
does it have a slow introduction? Maybe that's what the "Andante" refers to. Often (too often, even for much better known repertoire works' first movements) the introduction's tempo is given and not that of a main tempo (not that there's always just -one- "introductory" tempo or "main" tempo, of course, and not that that scheme always fits every work...)
You can listen to the recording I uploaded in the downloads board, but no, it starts off with a bouncy opening.
"Allegro" would be more appropriate if you use a simple tempo marking.
I agree, Justin - but there it is. Andante is the marking. Metronome mark: dotted crotchet = 72.
Gareth, could you confirm that your copy of the score shows Op. 34?
I can and do so confirm. I have just listened to the first movt. of your download with the score. It is the same work.
Thank you.
Strange marking, but it sounds great at the tempo set in the recording.
I had actually e-mailed the London Music Press to ask for the markings - but no reply yet. In the meantime, Gareth has supplied the information. Our wonderful UC members never fail to impress! ;)
Thank you for posting this. I rather like it despite being a bit dubious about the mock-Tudor sound of some the first movement, and the finale which sounds like that of a suite rather than a symphony - but never mind! It is well written, engaging and has emotional depth in parts. I was surprised to find so few recordings by Milford, his music is surely commercial?
I have to say that I rather like the "mock Tudor" element, maybe because it makes a nice accompaniment to the TV series "Monarchy" which we are currently going through and have arrived at Henry VIII.
I agree, it sound more like a suite (even a film suite) than a symphony. Enjoyable rather than profound.
I never heard back from the London Music Press, BTW.