-
Symphony No.12 - Havergal Brian
Slovak Radio Symphony Orchestra conducted by Adrian Leaper.
I - Introduction. Adagio (0:00) - Allegro maestoso (1:22) - A tempo marcia lento (3:29) - Adagio espressivo (7:05) - Epilogue. Allegro vivo (9:08)
The twelfth symphony of Havergal Brian was composed in 1957. Being premiered in a BBC broadcast on 5 November 1959, with the London Symphony Orchestra conducted by Harry Newstone. The first public performance took place in 4 August of 1966, performed by the BBC Symphony Orchestra conducted by Norman del Mar.
It is one of his shortest symphonies, structured in a very concise single movement divided in five sections. It was inspired by the famous play "Agamemnon" of Aeschylus, that same year he used it as material for a one-act opera. Brian suggested that the symphony could be used as...
published: 03 Dec 2021
-
Symphony No. 12: Adagio espressivo -
Provided to YouTube by NAXOS of America
Symphony No. 12: Adagio espressivo - · Slovak Radio Symphony Orchestra · Adrian Leaper
Brian: Symphonies Nos. 4 and 12
℗ 1992 Marco-Polo
Released on: 1992-11-06
Orchestra: Slovak Radio Symphony Orchestra
Conductor: Adrian Leaper
Composer: Havergal Brian
Auto-generated by YouTube.
published: 24 Mar 2020
-
Symphony No. 12: A Tempo Marcia Lento -
Provided to YouTube by NAXOS of America
Symphony No. 12: A Tempo Marcia Lento - · Slovak Radio Symphony Orchestra · Adrian Leaper
Brian: Symphonies Nos. 4 and 12
℗ 1992 Marco-Polo
Released on: 1992-11-06
Orchestra: Slovak Radio Symphony Orchestra
Conductor: Adrian Leaper
Composer: Havergal Brian
Auto-generated by YouTube.
published: 24 Mar 2020
-
Adagio espressivo -
Provided to YouTube by NAXOS of America
Adagio espressivo - · Slovak Radio Symphony Orchestra
Brian: Symphonies Nos. 4 and 12
℗ 2007 Naxos
Released on: 2007-01-30
Conductor: Adrian Leaper
Composer: Havergal Brian
Orchestra: Slovak Radio Symphony Orchestra
Auto-generated by YouTube.
published: 26 Mar 2020
-
Havergal Brian: Symphony No.11 in B flat (1954)
National Sympony Orchestra of Ireland conducted by / Orquesta Sinfónica Nacional de Irlanda dirigida por Adrian Leaper.
I. Adagio (0:00)
II. Allegro giocoso – (Scherzo) – Andante espressivo teneramente (6:32)
III. Maestoso e pesante – Allegro alla Marcia (20:31)
Havergal Brian is one of the most prolific, yet most unknown, British composers. He was mainly a composer of symphonies, but also commanded other genres such as opera or symphonic poems much in spite he remained largely self-taught. Initially Brian was moved to compose Behemoth-sized symphonies for equally large orchestras, but as time passed and his music remained unrecognized, he gradually shifted into compact works yet written in late-romantic and expressionist style. His Symphony No. 11 comes after a trilogy of short symphoni...
published: 25 Sep 2015
-
Symphony No. 12: Introduction -
Provided to YouTube by NAXOS of America
Symphony No. 12: Introduction - · Slovak Radio Symphony Orchestra · Adrian Leaper
Brian: Symphonies Nos. 4 and 12
℗ 1992 Marco-Polo
Released on: 1992-11-06
Orchestra: Slovak Radio Symphony Orchestra
Conductor: Adrian Leaper
Composer: Havergal Brian
Auto-generated by YouTube.
published: 24 Mar 2020
-
Symphony No. 12: Allegro maestoso -
Provided to YouTube by NAXOS of America
Symphony No. 12: Allegro maestoso - · Slovak Radio Symphony Orchestra · Adrian Leaper
Brian: Symphonies Nos. 4 and 12
℗ 1992 Marco-Polo
Released on: 1992-11-06
Orchestra: Slovak Radio Symphony Orchestra
Conductor: Adrian Leaper
Composer: Havergal Brian
Auto-generated by YouTube.
published: 24 Mar 2020
-
Symphony No. 11: II. Adagio -
Provided to YouTube by NAXOS of America
Symphony No. 11: II. Adagio - · RTÉ National Symphony Orchestra · Adrian Leaper
Brian: Symphonies Nos. 11 & 15
℗ 1999 Marco-Polo
Released on: 1999-12-31
Orchestra: RTÉ National Symphony Orchestra
Conductor: Adrian Leaper
Composer: Havergal Brian
Auto-generated by YouTube.
published: 25 Mar 2020
-
Symphony No.11 in B flat minor - Havergal Brian
National Symphony Orchestra of Ireland conducted by Adrian Leaper.
I - Adagio - (attacca): 0:00
II - Allegro giocoso - Adagio - [Tempo I] - Andante espressivo teneramente: 6:32
III - Maestoso e pesante - Allegro alla marcia - Grazioso - Allegro marcia: 20:37
Brian's Symphony No.11 was composed between February and April of 1954. It was premiered in a private performance in 1956, being publicly performed in April 8 1959, by the London Symphony Orchestra conducted by Harry Newstone. This work came after a trilogy of symphonies (Nos 8 - 10) characteristic for their intense and dramatic nature. In comparison, No.11 is much more lighter and joyous. It’s more transparently scored than most of the other symphonies, though still requiring a big orchestra with an array of percussion.
The first m...
published: 01 Dec 2021
-
Havergal Brian : Doctor Merryheart, Comedy Overture No. 1 for orchestra (1911-12)
Theme 00:00-01:35
Variation I. Whimsies and Sunshadows 01:35-03:10
Variation II. Smiles and Storms 03:10-05:30
Variation III. Dreams: Asleep in the Arms of Venus 05:30-08:05
Variation IV. Merryheart as a chivalrous knight chases Bluebeard 08:05-09:35
Variation V. Merryheart fights a dragon 09:35-10:40
Variation VI. Merryheart leads a procession of heroes 10:40-12:55
Variation VII. Merryheart awakes 12:55-14:20
Finale. The Dance of Merryheart 14:20-16:05
Performed by the RTÉ National Symphony Orchestra conducted by Adrian Leaper.
published: 19 May 2021
11:07
Symphony No.12 - Havergal Brian
Slovak Radio Symphony Orchestra conducted by Adrian Leaper.
I - Introduction. Adagio (0:00) - Allegro maestoso (1:22) - A tempo marcia lento (3:29) - Adagio e...
Slovak Radio Symphony Orchestra conducted by Adrian Leaper.
I - Introduction. Adagio (0:00) - Allegro maestoso (1:22) - A tempo marcia lento (3:29) - Adagio espressivo (7:05) - Epilogue. Allegro vivo (9:08)
The twelfth symphony of Havergal Brian was composed in 1957. Being premiered in a BBC broadcast on 5 November 1959, with the London Symphony Orchestra conducted by Harry Newstone. The first public performance took place in 4 August of 1966, performed by the BBC Symphony Orchestra conducted by Norman del Mar.
It is one of his shortest symphonies, structured in a very concise single movement divided in five sections. It was inspired by the famous play "Agamemnon" of Aeschylus, that same year he used it as material for a one-act opera. Brian suggested that the symphony could be used as a overture to the opera. The symphony can be divided into an introduction, four sections and an epilogue.
It begins with a mysterious introduction of various sound fragments: a glockenspiel solo, a rhythmic motif of the timpani and phantom sounds of flutes and harp. A kind of funeral march is briefly exposed by the strings. The second section opens with a portentous and energic theme. This movement in miniature is developed with great contrapuntal fantasy. In the middle we find a short lyrical passage with a solo from the oboe.
The third section begins with a varied recaptulation of the opening's funeral march, being the expressive heart of the work. The music grows in the form of an obsessive slow rythm march, reaching a gloomy grandeur. The wood perform several solos over the fateful march rhythm sustained by the percussion. The march slowly fades out. When the music rises again in a climax, it is left unresolved.
The fourth section takes the place of a slow movement. The strings present a dramatic and expressive melodic theme, slowly rising towards a climatic conclusion. It ends with solemn calls from the horn, like emerging from the depths. The final section is both heroic and grotesque in nature. Opens with a noble and heroic theme, which is soon twisted and transformed in varied ways. A dramatic climax leads to a low-key coda between tam-tam and strings.
Picture: "The Heads of the Seven Main Heroes of the Iliad" (1829) by the Russian graphic artist Nikolai Utkin.
Musical analysis partially done by myself. Source: https://bit.ly/34zWm7z
To check the score: https://bit.ly/3W1y92G
https://wn.com/Symphony_No.12_Havergal_Brian
Slovak Radio Symphony Orchestra conducted by Adrian Leaper.
I - Introduction. Adagio (0:00) - Allegro maestoso (1:22) - A tempo marcia lento (3:29) - Adagio espressivo (7:05) - Epilogue. Allegro vivo (9:08)
The twelfth symphony of Havergal Brian was composed in 1957. Being premiered in a BBC broadcast on 5 November 1959, with the London Symphony Orchestra conducted by Harry Newstone. The first public performance took place in 4 August of 1966, performed by the BBC Symphony Orchestra conducted by Norman del Mar.
It is one of his shortest symphonies, structured in a very concise single movement divided in five sections. It was inspired by the famous play "Agamemnon" of Aeschylus, that same year he used it as material for a one-act opera. Brian suggested that the symphony could be used as a overture to the opera. The symphony can be divided into an introduction, four sections and an epilogue.
It begins with a mysterious introduction of various sound fragments: a glockenspiel solo, a rhythmic motif of the timpani and phantom sounds of flutes and harp. A kind of funeral march is briefly exposed by the strings. The second section opens with a portentous and energic theme. This movement in miniature is developed with great contrapuntal fantasy. In the middle we find a short lyrical passage with a solo from the oboe.
The third section begins with a varied recaptulation of the opening's funeral march, being the expressive heart of the work. The music grows in the form of an obsessive slow rythm march, reaching a gloomy grandeur. The wood perform several solos over the fateful march rhythm sustained by the percussion. The march slowly fades out. When the music rises again in a climax, it is left unresolved.
The fourth section takes the place of a slow movement. The strings present a dramatic and expressive melodic theme, slowly rising towards a climatic conclusion. It ends with solemn calls from the horn, like emerging from the depths. The final section is both heroic and grotesque in nature. Opens with a noble and heroic theme, which is soon twisted and transformed in varied ways. A dramatic climax leads to a low-key coda between tam-tam and strings.
Picture: "The Heads of the Seven Main Heroes of the Iliad" (1829) by the Russian graphic artist Nikolai Utkin.
Musical analysis partially done by myself. Source: https://bit.ly/34zWm7z
To check the score: https://bit.ly/3W1y92G
- published: 03 Dec 2021
- views: 1076
2:04
Symphony No. 12: Adagio espressivo -
Provided to YouTube by NAXOS of America
Symphony No. 12: Adagio espressivo - · Slovak Radio Symphony Orchestra · Adrian Leaper
Brian: Symphonies Nos. 4 and 12...
Provided to YouTube by NAXOS of America
Symphony No. 12: Adagio espressivo - · Slovak Radio Symphony Orchestra · Adrian Leaper
Brian: Symphonies Nos. 4 and 12
℗ 1992 Marco-Polo
Released on: 1992-11-06
Orchestra: Slovak Radio Symphony Orchestra
Conductor: Adrian Leaper
Composer: Havergal Brian
Auto-generated by YouTube.
https://wn.com/Symphony_No._12_Adagio_Espressivo
Provided to YouTube by NAXOS of America
Symphony No. 12: Adagio espressivo - · Slovak Radio Symphony Orchestra · Adrian Leaper
Brian: Symphonies Nos. 4 and 12
℗ 1992 Marco-Polo
Released on: 1992-11-06
Orchestra: Slovak Radio Symphony Orchestra
Conductor: Adrian Leaper
Composer: Havergal Brian
Auto-generated by YouTube.
- published: 24 Mar 2020
- views: 20
3:36
Symphony No. 12: A Tempo Marcia Lento -
Provided to YouTube by NAXOS of America
Symphony No. 12: A Tempo Marcia Lento - · Slovak Radio Symphony Orchestra · Adrian Leaper
Brian: Symphonies Nos. 4 and...
Provided to YouTube by NAXOS of America
Symphony No. 12: A Tempo Marcia Lento - · Slovak Radio Symphony Orchestra · Adrian Leaper
Brian: Symphonies Nos. 4 and 12
℗ 1992 Marco-Polo
Released on: 1992-11-06
Orchestra: Slovak Radio Symphony Orchestra
Conductor: Adrian Leaper
Composer: Havergal Brian
Auto-generated by YouTube.
https://wn.com/Symphony_No._12_A_Tempo_Marcia_Lento
Provided to YouTube by NAXOS of America
Symphony No. 12: A Tempo Marcia Lento - · Slovak Radio Symphony Orchestra · Adrian Leaper
Brian: Symphonies Nos. 4 and 12
℗ 1992 Marco-Polo
Released on: 1992-11-06
Orchestra: Slovak Radio Symphony Orchestra
Conductor: Adrian Leaper
Composer: Havergal Brian
Auto-generated by YouTube.
- published: 24 Mar 2020
- views: 30
2:04
Adagio espressivo -
Provided to YouTube by NAXOS of America
Adagio espressivo - · Slovak Radio Symphony Orchestra
Brian: Symphonies Nos. 4 and 12
℗ 2007 Naxos
Released on: 2007...
Provided to YouTube by NAXOS of America
Adagio espressivo - · Slovak Radio Symphony Orchestra
Brian: Symphonies Nos. 4 and 12
℗ 2007 Naxos
Released on: 2007-01-30
Conductor: Adrian Leaper
Composer: Havergal Brian
Orchestra: Slovak Radio Symphony Orchestra
Auto-generated by YouTube.
https://wn.com/Adagio_Espressivo
Provided to YouTube by NAXOS of America
Adagio espressivo - · Slovak Radio Symphony Orchestra
Brian: Symphonies Nos. 4 and 12
℗ 2007 Naxos
Released on: 2007-01-30
Conductor: Adrian Leaper
Composer: Havergal Brian
Orchestra: Slovak Radio Symphony Orchestra
Auto-generated by YouTube.
- published: 26 Mar 2020
- views: 23
24:33
Havergal Brian: Symphony No.11 in B flat (1954)
National Sympony Orchestra of Ireland conducted by / Orquesta Sinfónica Nacional de Irlanda dirigida por Adrian Leaper.
I. Adagio (0:00)
II. Allegro giocoso – ...
National Sympony Orchestra of Ireland conducted by / Orquesta Sinfónica Nacional de Irlanda dirigida por Adrian Leaper.
I. Adagio (0:00)
II. Allegro giocoso – (Scherzo) – Andante espressivo teneramente (6:32)
III. Maestoso e pesante – Allegro alla Marcia (20:31)
Havergal Brian is one of the most prolific, yet most unknown, British composers. He was mainly a composer of symphonies, but also commanded other genres such as opera or symphonic poems much in spite he remained largely self-taught. Initially Brian was moved to compose Behemoth-sized symphonies for equally large orchestras, but as time passed and his music remained unrecognized, he gradually shifted into compact works yet written in late-romantic and expressionist style. His Symphony No. 11 comes after a trilogy of short symphonies (8 to 10) characterized by musical unity among dark musical landscapes while sharing its constant motivic explorations; especially the initial Adagio which possesses tremendous beauty, evoking Mahler’s music sometimes.
Havergal Brian es un prolífico, pero desconocido, compositor británico. Principalmente fue un sinfonista, pero también dominaba géneros como la ópera y los poemas sinfónicos muy a pesar de ser autodidacta. Inicialmente Brian se dedicó a componer sinfonías gigantescas para grandes orquestas, pero mientras el tiempo pasaba y su música seguía sin ser reconocida, pasó gradualmente a componer obras más compactas que sin embargo guardan un carácter del romanticismo tardío y del expresionismo. Su Sinfonía No. 11 viene tras una trilogía de sinfonías cortas (de la 8 a la 10) que se caracterizan por cierta unidad musical sobre oscuros paisajes musicales y comparte sus constantes exploraciones de motivos; especialmente el Adagio inicial que posee una gran belleza, la cual a veces pareciera evocar la música de Mahler.
Image/imagen: Brighton Beach, with Colliers / Playa de Brighton con barcos carboneros. John Constable. 1824.
https://wn.com/Havergal_Brian_Symphony_No.11_In_B_Flat_(1954)
National Sympony Orchestra of Ireland conducted by / Orquesta Sinfónica Nacional de Irlanda dirigida por Adrian Leaper.
I. Adagio (0:00)
II. Allegro giocoso – (Scherzo) – Andante espressivo teneramente (6:32)
III. Maestoso e pesante – Allegro alla Marcia (20:31)
Havergal Brian is one of the most prolific, yet most unknown, British composers. He was mainly a composer of symphonies, but also commanded other genres such as opera or symphonic poems much in spite he remained largely self-taught. Initially Brian was moved to compose Behemoth-sized symphonies for equally large orchestras, but as time passed and his music remained unrecognized, he gradually shifted into compact works yet written in late-romantic and expressionist style. His Symphony No. 11 comes after a trilogy of short symphonies (8 to 10) characterized by musical unity among dark musical landscapes while sharing its constant motivic explorations; especially the initial Adagio which possesses tremendous beauty, evoking Mahler’s music sometimes.
Havergal Brian es un prolífico, pero desconocido, compositor británico. Principalmente fue un sinfonista, pero también dominaba géneros como la ópera y los poemas sinfónicos muy a pesar de ser autodidacta. Inicialmente Brian se dedicó a componer sinfonías gigantescas para grandes orquestas, pero mientras el tiempo pasaba y su música seguía sin ser reconocida, pasó gradualmente a componer obras más compactas que sin embargo guardan un carácter del romanticismo tardío y del expresionismo. Su Sinfonía No. 11 viene tras una trilogía de sinfonías cortas (de la 8 a la 10) que se caracterizan por cierta unidad musical sobre oscuros paisajes musicales y comparte sus constantes exploraciones de motivos; especialmente el Adagio inicial que posee una gran belleza, la cual a veces pareciera evocar la música de Mahler.
Image/imagen: Brighton Beach, with Colliers / Playa de Brighton con barcos carboneros. John Constable. 1824.
- published: 25 Sep 2015
- views: 2691
1:22
Symphony No. 12: Introduction -
Provided to YouTube by NAXOS of America
Symphony No. 12: Introduction - · Slovak Radio Symphony Orchestra · Adrian Leaper
Brian: Symphonies Nos. 4 and 12
℗ 1...
Provided to YouTube by NAXOS of America
Symphony No. 12: Introduction - · Slovak Radio Symphony Orchestra · Adrian Leaper
Brian: Symphonies Nos. 4 and 12
℗ 1992 Marco-Polo
Released on: 1992-11-06
Orchestra: Slovak Radio Symphony Orchestra
Conductor: Adrian Leaper
Composer: Havergal Brian
Auto-generated by YouTube.
https://wn.com/Symphony_No._12_Introduction
Provided to YouTube by NAXOS of America
Symphony No. 12: Introduction - · Slovak Radio Symphony Orchestra · Adrian Leaper
Brian: Symphonies Nos. 4 and 12
℗ 1992 Marco-Polo
Released on: 1992-11-06
Orchestra: Slovak Radio Symphony Orchestra
Conductor: Adrian Leaper
Composer: Havergal Brian
Auto-generated by YouTube.
- published: 24 Mar 2020
- views: 13
2:08
Symphony No. 12: Allegro maestoso -
Provided to YouTube by NAXOS of America
Symphony No. 12: Allegro maestoso - · Slovak Radio Symphony Orchestra · Adrian Leaper
Brian: Symphonies Nos. 4 and 12
...
Provided to YouTube by NAXOS of America
Symphony No. 12: Allegro maestoso - · Slovak Radio Symphony Orchestra · Adrian Leaper
Brian: Symphonies Nos. 4 and 12
℗ 1992 Marco-Polo
Released on: 1992-11-06
Orchestra: Slovak Radio Symphony Orchestra
Conductor: Adrian Leaper
Composer: Havergal Brian
Auto-generated by YouTube.
https://wn.com/Symphony_No._12_Allegro_Maestoso
Provided to YouTube by NAXOS of America
Symphony No. 12: Allegro maestoso - · Slovak Radio Symphony Orchestra · Adrian Leaper
Brian: Symphonies Nos. 4 and 12
℗ 1992 Marco-Polo
Released on: 1992-11-06
Orchestra: Slovak Radio Symphony Orchestra
Conductor: Adrian Leaper
Composer: Havergal Brian
Auto-generated by YouTube.
- published: 24 Mar 2020
- views: 17
4:00
Symphony No. 11: II. Adagio -
Provided to YouTube by NAXOS of America
Symphony No. 11: II. Adagio - · RTÉ National Symphony Orchestra · Adrian Leaper
Brian: Symphonies Nos. 11 & 15
℗ 1999...
Provided to YouTube by NAXOS of America
Symphony No. 11: II. Adagio - · RTÉ National Symphony Orchestra · Adrian Leaper
Brian: Symphonies Nos. 11 & 15
℗ 1999 Marco-Polo
Released on: 1999-12-31
Orchestra: RTÉ National Symphony Orchestra
Conductor: Adrian Leaper
Composer: Havergal Brian
Auto-generated by YouTube.
https://wn.com/Symphony_No._11_Ii._Adagio
Provided to YouTube by NAXOS of America
Symphony No. 11: II. Adagio - · RTÉ National Symphony Orchestra · Adrian Leaper
Brian: Symphonies Nos. 11 & 15
℗ 1999 Marco-Polo
Released on: 1999-12-31
Orchestra: RTÉ National Symphony Orchestra
Conductor: Adrian Leaper
Composer: Havergal Brian
Auto-generated by YouTube.
- published: 25 Mar 2020
- views: 26
24:37
Symphony No.11 in B flat minor - Havergal Brian
National Symphony Orchestra of Ireland conducted by Adrian Leaper.
I - Adagio - (attacca): 0:00
II - Allegro giocoso - Adagio - [Tempo I] - Andante espressivo ...
National Symphony Orchestra of Ireland conducted by Adrian Leaper.
I - Adagio - (attacca): 0:00
II - Allegro giocoso - Adagio - [Tempo I] - Andante espressivo teneramente: 6:32
III - Maestoso e pesante - Allegro alla marcia - Grazioso - Allegro marcia: 20:37
Brian's Symphony No.11 was composed between February and April of 1954. It was premiered in a private performance in 1956, being publicly performed in April 8 1959, by the London Symphony Orchestra conducted by Harry Newstone. This work came after a trilogy of symphonies (Nos 8 - 10) characteristic for their intense and dramatic nature. In comparison, No.11 is much more lighter and joyous. It’s more transparently scored than most of the other symphonies, though still requiring a big orchestra with an array of percussion.
The first movement is a polyphonic elegy, being monothematic. It starts where the tenth symphony finished, with the same three notes in inversion, from which the entire work is built. An expansive and contemplative theme is presented by the strings. A music that lies between Mahler's styles and Shostakovich's adagios, but without its tragic expression. The music alternates between anxious and noble moments. After a short but brilliant climax, the violin performs an expressive solo, which leads to a new, massive climax. After it, the music calms down with phrases of the wood. It concludes with an uplifting coda. A pedal note of the flute takes us to the next part.
The second movement is a fusion between a scherzo and a slow movement as intermezzos. It opens with joyful rhythms from flutes, harps and percussion (a reference to the opening of Mahler's Fourth Symphony, and forms a background to a playful and cheerful theme on four horns, based on the opening three notes. The melodic material is simple, being used in several variations, taking on a distinctly archaic (perhaps ironic) minuet-like air. The first intermezzo opens with a calm and idyllic on clarinet and flutes, supported by the rest of the wood. Follows a series of dialogues and exchanges between woodwinds and strings. Then comes a lyrical passage for harp and woods.
The scherzo comes back with energy, only to lapse once more into the "minuet" vein. More melodic elements are born from the horns, leading to the second intermezzo. It opens with an expressive theme on the strings, also based on the three-note motif. The music grows more dissonant and chromatic, rising in several climaxes like waves. Follows a very quiet and lyrical passage with the prominence of strings. The coda references the scherzo theme through light percussion blows, while cellos and basses calmly reference the main motif.
The third movement is written in ternary form. It begins with a pompous and ceremonial march of great splendor. The music culminates in an intense climax. The middle section is a gentle pastoral dance presented by the wood, coasting with the initial majestuosity. The initial march is recapitulated. Brass fanfares lead the music to an expansive coda, in which the last recognizable allusion to the three-note motif appears on trumpets and trombones before the symphony ends in a triumphant blaze of E major.
Picture: "The Pleiades" (1885) by the American painter Elihu Vedder.
Musical analysis partially written by myself. Sources: https://bit.ly/3CDV9vR and https://bit.ly/3jF4bjO
Unfortunately the score is not freely available.
https://wn.com/Symphony_No.11_In_B_Flat_Minor_Havergal_Brian
National Symphony Orchestra of Ireland conducted by Adrian Leaper.
I - Adagio - (attacca): 0:00
II - Allegro giocoso - Adagio - [Tempo I] - Andante espressivo teneramente: 6:32
III - Maestoso e pesante - Allegro alla marcia - Grazioso - Allegro marcia: 20:37
Brian's Symphony No.11 was composed between February and April of 1954. It was premiered in a private performance in 1956, being publicly performed in April 8 1959, by the London Symphony Orchestra conducted by Harry Newstone. This work came after a trilogy of symphonies (Nos 8 - 10) characteristic for their intense and dramatic nature. In comparison, No.11 is much more lighter and joyous. It’s more transparently scored than most of the other symphonies, though still requiring a big orchestra with an array of percussion.
The first movement is a polyphonic elegy, being monothematic. It starts where the tenth symphony finished, with the same three notes in inversion, from which the entire work is built. An expansive and contemplative theme is presented by the strings. A music that lies between Mahler's styles and Shostakovich's adagios, but without its tragic expression. The music alternates between anxious and noble moments. After a short but brilliant climax, the violin performs an expressive solo, which leads to a new, massive climax. After it, the music calms down with phrases of the wood. It concludes with an uplifting coda. A pedal note of the flute takes us to the next part.
The second movement is a fusion between a scherzo and a slow movement as intermezzos. It opens with joyful rhythms from flutes, harps and percussion (a reference to the opening of Mahler's Fourth Symphony, and forms a background to a playful and cheerful theme on four horns, based on the opening three notes. The melodic material is simple, being used in several variations, taking on a distinctly archaic (perhaps ironic) minuet-like air. The first intermezzo opens with a calm and idyllic on clarinet and flutes, supported by the rest of the wood. Follows a series of dialogues and exchanges between woodwinds and strings. Then comes a lyrical passage for harp and woods.
The scherzo comes back with energy, only to lapse once more into the "minuet" vein. More melodic elements are born from the horns, leading to the second intermezzo. It opens with an expressive theme on the strings, also based on the three-note motif. The music grows more dissonant and chromatic, rising in several climaxes like waves. Follows a very quiet and lyrical passage with the prominence of strings. The coda references the scherzo theme through light percussion blows, while cellos and basses calmly reference the main motif.
The third movement is written in ternary form. It begins with a pompous and ceremonial march of great splendor. The music culminates in an intense climax. The middle section is a gentle pastoral dance presented by the wood, coasting with the initial majestuosity. The initial march is recapitulated. Brass fanfares lead the music to an expansive coda, in which the last recognizable allusion to the three-note motif appears on trumpets and trombones before the symphony ends in a triumphant blaze of E major.
Picture: "The Pleiades" (1885) by the American painter Elihu Vedder.
Musical analysis partially written by myself. Sources: https://bit.ly/3CDV9vR and https://bit.ly/3jF4bjO
Unfortunately the score is not freely available.
- published: 01 Dec 2021
- views: 2135
16:10
Havergal Brian : Doctor Merryheart, Comedy Overture No. 1 for orchestra (1911-12)
Theme 00:00-01:35
Variation I. Whimsies and Sunshadows 01:35-03:10
Variation II. Smiles and Storms 03:10-05:30
Variation III. Dreams: Asleep in the Arms of Venu...
Theme 00:00-01:35
Variation I. Whimsies and Sunshadows 01:35-03:10
Variation II. Smiles and Storms 03:10-05:30
Variation III. Dreams: Asleep in the Arms of Venus 05:30-08:05
Variation IV. Merryheart as a chivalrous knight chases Bluebeard 08:05-09:35
Variation V. Merryheart fights a dragon 09:35-10:40
Variation VI. Merryheart leads a procession of heroes 10:40-12:55
Variation VII. Merryheart awakes 12:55-14:20
Finale. The Dance of Merryheart 14:20-16:05
Performed by the RTÉ National Symphony Orchestra conducted by Adrian Leaper.
https://wn.com/Havergal_Brian_Doctor_Merryheart,_Comedy_Overture_No._1_For_Orchestra_(1911_12)
Theme 00:00-01:35
Variation I. Whimsies and Sunshadows 01:35-03:10
Variation II. Smiles and Storms 03:10-05:30
Variation III. Dreams: Asleep in the Arms of Venus 05:30-08:05
Variation IV. Merryheart as a chivalrous knight chases Bluebeard 08:05-09:35
Variation V. Merryheart fights a dragon 09:35-10:40
Variation VI. Merryheart leads a procession of heroes 10:40-12:55
Variation VII. Merryheart awakes 12:55-14:20
Finale. The Dance of Merryheart 14:20-16:05
Performed by the RTÉ National Symphony Orchestra conducted by Adrian Leaper.
- published: 19 May 2021
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