Derek Bourgeois (b. 1941)

[albion]

Derek Bourgeois is well known in brass- and wind-band circles, but his latest orchestral work is Symphony No.64, Op.305.

This astonishingly prolific composer has also written many independent orchestral pieces along with concertos for Amateur Orchestra, Op.36 (1971), Bass Tuba, Op.38 (1972), Clarinet, Op.51 (1976), Three Trombones, Op.56 (1977), Double Bass, Op.62 (1979), Organ, Op.101 (1986), Trombone, Op.114 (1988), Euphonium, Op.120 (1990), Horn, Op.121 (1990), String Quartet, Op.138 (1994), Percussion, Op.143 (1995) and Violin, Op.181 (2002).

As with Havergal Brian he seems to have settled down (from the 8th Symphony, Op.184 (2002) onwards) to concentration on symphonic writing. Does anybody know any of this music? 

Here is his website - http://www.derekbourgeois.com/index.htm

[eschiss1]

I recall a very positive review- maybe by Paul Snook?...- of several recordings of his works a few years ago in Fanfare magazine- mostly brass or wind band works?-- but have not yet heard any.  (Hrm. Not sure if the review was of the 1998 all-Bourgeois wind band CD or of a CD of selections including Bourgeois works.  I think the issue was before 2000 or maybe at latest 2005 since i have some scattered issues of the magazine of that date also- will find...) Am curious though, and hope to hear some. There's only a few other 20th/21st century composers I know of offhand - I think... erm. - who exceeded 40 symphonies ... Alan Hovhaness and Dennis Busch of course, maybe a few others and I've only heard music by the former so far I believe though there's been an isolated recording of Busch's music too.

[Hovite]

Derek Bourgeois is well known in brass- and wind-band circles, but his latest orchestral work is Symphony No.64, Op.305.

This astonishingly prolific composer has also written many independent orchestral pieces along with concertos for Amateur Orchestra, Op.36 (1971), Bass Tuba, Op.38 (1972), Clarinet, Op.51 (1976), Three Trombones, Op.56 (1977), Double Bass, Op.62 (1979), Organ, Op.101 (1986), Trombone, Op.114 (1988), Euphonium, Op.120 (1990), Horn, Op.121 (1990), String Quartet, Op.138 (1994), Percussion, Op.143 (1995) and Violin, Op.181 (2002).

As with Havergal Brian he seems to have settled down (from the 8th Symphony, Op.184 (2002) onwards) to concentration on symphonic writing. Does anybody know any of this music? 

Here is his website - http://www.derekbourgeois.com/index.htm

I have heard the trombone concerto, and though I thought it pleasant enough, it clearly did not inspire to hunt further, as I was completely unaware of those sixty-four symphonies! Judging from the composer's website, only Symphony No. 8 has been recorded.