Walford Davies Symphony 2 at EMF

[Mark Thomas]

Only sometimes?

[Mark Thomas]

Henry Walford DAVIES (1869-1942)

Symphony No.2 in G major Op.32 (1911)
I. Largo Maestoso - Allegro Energico - Lento Maestoso
II. "Romanza": Allegretto Felice sempre teneramente ed espressivo
III. Lento espressivo
IV. Lento Mistico - Allegro Vivace

BBC Concert Orchestra conducted by Martin Yates

Live recording of a concert at Dorchester Abbey on 24 May 2013. Broadcast by BBC Radio 3 on 24 June 2013.

Four mp3s and a text file in one zip file here: www.mediafire.com/download/ysbwgco4957kp5i/Symphony_No.2.zip

Note 1: the accompanying text file lists the middle movements in reverse order. The order shown here corresponds with the order in which they are played.
Note 2: the details of the movements have now been modified as per the helpful post by musiclover in the Composers and Music board.
Alan Howe 29/06/13

[Mark Thomas]

A recording of this afternoon's broadcast of Walford Davies' Second Symphony is now available in the Downloads board. If anybody knows the tempo indication of the Finale then I'd appreciate it being shared.

I can't say that at first hearing the music itself struck me as having much individuality, and the melodic material seemed undistinguished, but there are some fine moments and Davies certainly makes a grand sound. Maybe it's one of those works which grows on you. I do hope so.

[Alan Howe]

Yes, I agree. On first hearing it sounds like thoroughly enjoyable second-tier stuff - but definitely not second-rate, if you see what I mean. It strikes me as being rather Elgarian in general tenor, but it is absolutely wonderful to have another of the British symphonies written in the shadow of Elgar publicly performed.

Special thanks too to Mark for recording the broadcast, tracking the recording and uploading it so promptly here. Great stuff.

Now for the Dutton recording...

[Alan Howe]

By the way, although no doubt the balance is in some measure to blame on the radio broadcast, the strings of the BBC Concert Orchestra are at times sorely pressed, mostly because they are lacking in the proper weight of sonority for this sort of music - an observation I have often made when they are recorded in late-romantic repertoire. I assume Dutton will use the same orchestra if/when they record the piece, but I can't help hoping that they choose the RNSO instead.

[petershott@btinternet.com]

Are we reasonably sure that there will be a Dutton recording (subject, of course, to a final decision by Dutton)? Everyone seems to be talking with complete assurance, but what is it that justifies this conviction?

A number of posts ago Gareth suggested that if financial considerations make a recording impossible, then why on earth can't Dutton come to some arrangement with the BBC and release the broadcast as a commercial recording? That would make absolutely splendid sense....but maybe I'm being far too naive here.

[Alan Howe]

Are we reasonably sure that there will be a Dutton recording...?

That's why I said "if/when". The short answer is, I've no idea.

[BFerrell]

My information is that Martin Yeats is not completely sold on the piece. Nothing decided yet. Maybe positive reviews (if any) will help. Money is always an issue.  Dutton is doing a Braunfels disc though!

[John H White]

It was nice to hear a "new"British symphony in the Romantic tradition.  It sounded to me like a cross between Vaughan Williams and Walton with a drop of Elgar thrown in. So far, I prefer the finale to the other movements but, thanks to you Mark, I shall be able now to hear it again and make further assessments of it.

[petershott@btinternet.com]

A Braunfels disc from Dutton? That - at least to me - is an enormously exciting prospect. Can you perhaps tell us a little more, Tapiola? Perhaps in a new thread so that the present one doesn't wander off the straight and narrow.

[jerfilm]

Thank you Mark.  Very delightful.  Have not heard it all but what I've heard so far, I like.  Not a masterpiece, probably, but a lovely piece of unsung music.

Jerry

[JimL]

Mark, do you have a tempo indication for the finale of the Walford Davies?

[Alan Howe]

Mark's already said he hasn't, Jim 

[Delicious Manager]

You do know about BBC iPlayer, don't you?

[Alan Howe]

You do know about BBC iPlayer, don't you?

Does it tell us what we want to know?