BRITISH AND COMMONWEALTH SYMPHONIES FROM THE 19^TH CENTURY TO THE   PRESENT © 2007 MICHAEL HERMAN

INTRODUCTION
 
Ask most moderately knowledgeable classical music lovers to name some British composers who wrote symphonies and you will encounter many blank stares. A few would undoubtedly come up with Elgar, Vaughan Williams, Walton and Britten as these are the British composers whose names they have heard. Record collectors will probably be aware of some further names unless they are strictly performer rather than composer oriented. Even the most exploratory type of collector would have trouble guessing that symphonies by more than 160 composers from the British Isles and the Commonwealth have been represented on long-playing records and compact discs since the middle of the twentieth century. It is the purpose of this work to document this vast output of recordings and to serve as a reference work for further study by others. Another tangential purpose is to survey the production of symphonies in the stated time frame and to show the continuity between the generations of composers as a result of their education by their predecessors.
The composers included in this discography are those born in or who came to live in the United Kingdom, The Republic of Ireland, Australia, Canada, New Zealand and South Africa. Geography is the only determining factor for inclusion as there is no attempt here to argue for the existence of any so-called "British" symphonic style identity that would cover such a vast range of composers.
A chronological structure has been used in order to show the progression of symphonic works from the early nineteenth century up to our own time. This chronology is based on the birth year of the composer rather than the year a symphony was written. A composer index is placed first so the reader can immediately go to any particular composer.
The entry for each composer consists of two sections. First there is a compact biographical paragraph that notes some essential information such as place of birth, higher musical education (including schools and prominent teachers), subsequent musical careers in addition to composing, details of other symphonies that have not been recorded and selective lists of other works for orchestra. If the composers’ teachers who are mentioned were or are also British or Commonwealth symphonists and do not have their own entry in this book their dates and number of symphonies written will be noted in parentheses. Compositional styles are not discussed in these paragraphs and readers are referred to the bibliography where various reference books that cover this subject are listed.
The second part of each composer entry consists of lists of his or her symphonies that have been recorded and the various recordings of each work. Symphony is defined here as any work the composer has designated as such in its title including works called "sinfonia" or "sinfonietta." The works can be for full orchestra, chamber orchestra, strings, winds, brass or chorus and orchestra. For every symphony that has them, the opus number, key signature and title are noted and the year of composition is stated for all. The entries of the symphonies that have had multiple recordings are listed alphabetically by the conductor’s name. Each listing of a recording consists of the following components (if known): (1) Performers (in this order if all are involved - conductor, soloists, choral group, orchestra), (2) Other works on the recording. If one of the couplings is a major concerto the soloist is listed, (3) Label and catalogue number and year of issue and (4) If the recording is a reissue, the original LP or CD release and its year of issue.
The author has endeavored to list every recording of every symphony written by a British or Commonwealth composer that has been published since the advent of the long-playing record in 1948. However, the following points should be kept in mind. The research was limited to sources in the English-speaking world. There has been no attempt to delve into the record catalogues of France, Germany or any other country that may have possibly produced an original recording of one of the covered symphonies that did not appear in British or American catalogues. Also, there has been no attempt to list every reissue of every recording. Some recordings, especially those made by the so-called "major labels," have been reissued so often, first on records then on compact discs, that the author has tried to confine the listings basically to only the most current and the original releases of each recording. Likewise, there has been no attempt to indicate whether recordings are mono or stereo (or any other audio system) or to comment about availability. Furthermore, as the focus of this book is British, the catalogue numbers identify British releases in the vast majority of instances. Finally, there is a strong certainty on the author’s part that a number of recordings have been missed. With the multiple thousands of recordings that have been issued over the past sixty years and the evanescence of so many of them one cannot but help reaching this conclusion.
Nearly all of the recordings listed in this book are commercial issues that anyone could purchase if they happened to be around at the right time. However, also included here are a number of non-commercial or private LPs that were issued by governmental broadcasting organizations or music publishers that were not available to the general public. However, these types of recordings can be found in libraries and do turn up for sale at times so their existence ought to be documented. In addition there are a number of unauthorized or "pirate" LPs and CDs found in these pages. They were widely distributed and found their way into many collections and were in many instances the only available recording of a particular work. These recordings were issued with either the actual or pseudonymous names of performers. The symbol ▼ is used here to designate this type of recording.
*****
The Symphony arrived in the British Isles in the eighteenth century. The immigrant German composers Carl Friedrich Abel (1723-1787) and Johann Christian Bach (1735-1782) were very crucial in its development as they not only wrote symphonies themselves but also established in 1765 a series of subscription concerts in London that brought the music of the Continent’s leading composers to the ears of British audiences. The native composers in this period had already begun writing symphonies that were derived from the Italian-style overture-symphony that was characterized by a short length, three movements and, usually, material derived from other sources. The 4 Symphonies of Thomas Arne (1710-1778) and the 8 of William Boyce (1711-1779) are the most famous British examples of this type of composition and they have been recorded several times. With the advent of Haydn, Mozart and then Beethoven at the end of the century, the symphony was changed into the grander conception that carried it to its place at the pinnacle of orchestral music composition.
The composer listings in this book begin with the dawn of the nineteenth century when the new type of symphony began to be written by British composers. Samuel Wesley, the first composer listed was still basically influenced by the earlier style as exemplified by Abel and Bach but with Cipriani Potter the sound of the new wave from Vienna is evident. For the remainder of the nineteenth century British composers of symphonies would continue to use their counterparts in Germany and Austria as their models. Beethoven and his successors Schubert, Schumann, Mendelssohn and Brahms are never far away from the musical language of British symphonic scores. The twentieth century brought about a plethora of new influences such as the folk song revival, the influence of impressionism, Sibelius, the Second Viennese School, neo-classicism and modernism in general and all of these would be reflected in the symphonic output of the British Isles and its overseas Dominions. As the last pages of the composer listings should indicate, the symphonic form is alive and well in our subject countries and, hopefully, will continue to be so for the foreseeable future.
*****
It should be very clear from the pages that follow that the symphony as written by British and Commonwealth composers has been well documented on recordings. This is especially true for composers who lived or live in the United Kingdom itself. Over the years and particularly since the advent of the compact disc more and more previously unrecorded symphonies have become available. Many composers whose names and works used to exist only in reference books and footnotes are now being heard after many years of dormancy. The British record industry deserves special commendation for this situation as it has continually kept the collector well supplied with symphonic novelties to explore. These pioneering recording efforts have been aided by subsidies from governmental agencies, regional arts councils, composers’ trusts and societies and private companies. In the early LP era the major labels EMI and Decca led the way with their championship of Elgar and Vaughan Williams and some forays into more unknown regions. Over the last three decades, however, these types of projects have increasingly found their homes on independent British labels such as Lyrita, Chandos, Hyperion, NMC, Dutton Vocalion, Toccata Classics and ASV. Hong Kong based Naxos, now the world’s biggest producer of classical CDs, has also become a major source for original recordings of unusual British repertoire on both its Marco Polo and bargain-priced Naxos labels.
Of course collectors can never be totally satisfied and always hope that further treasures will come their way. Anyone who has followed this particular musical area has their own list of symphonies that they would love to see recorded. From having heard many unrecorded British symphonies from tapes of BBC broadcasts and also from extensive reading, the author has the following symphonists on his personal wish list: Arthur Somervell (1863-1937), Thomas Dunhill (1877-1946), Josef Holbrooke (1878-1958), William Baines (1899-1922), Eric Chisholm (1904-1965), Stanley Bate (1911-1959), John Veale (1922-2006), Christopher Steel (1938-1991) and Derek Bourgeois (b. 1941).
Let us now proceed away from the realm of wish fulfillment and examine the vast riches that have over the years made the composers of the British Isles and the Commonwealth among the best represented symphonists on recordings (if not in the concert hall) in the world.
Michael Herman July 2007
 
*****
n.b. Any recording that is not designated as an LP is a CD,
 
As this work will be updated from time to time, the author invites anyone with corrections or information about other recordings that may have been overlooked to contact him at:

mherman@mindspring.com
 
 
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
I would like to thank the following people for their help in the preparation of this book: Rob Barnett at MusicWeb International,
Linda Kirkpatrick at the Australian Music Centre, Martin Anderson, Jürgen Schaarwächter, Matthew Taylor, John Metcalf, Paul Snook and Mrs. Margaret Wilson.

 

ALPHABETICAL COMPOSER INDEX
(Entries are arranged by birth date)
 
 
Adaskin, Murray
Adès, Thomas
Albert, Eugène d’
Alwyn, William
Anderson, Julian
Archer, Violet
Arnell, Richard
Arnold, Malcolm
Austin, Frederic
Bainton, Edgar
Ball, Eric
Bantock, Granville
Bax, Arnold
Bedford, David
Bell, William Henry
Benjamin, Arthur
Bennett, Richard Rodney
Bennett, William Sterndale
Berkeley, Lennox
Berkeley, Michael
Binge, Ronald
Blake, Christopher
Blake, Howard
Bliss, Arthur
Bodley, Seóirse
Boughton, Rutland
Bowen, York
Bracanin, Philip
Brian, Havergal
Bridge, Frank
Britten, Benjamin
Broadstock, Brenton
Bruce, Robert
Brumby, Colin
Buckley, John
Bush, Alan
Bush, Geoffrey
Butterworth, Arthur
Carr, Edwin
Champagne, Claude
Chisholm, Erik
Cliffe, Frederic
Clifford, Hubert
Coleridge-Taylor, Samuel
Collins, Anthony
Cooke, Arnold
Corcoran, Frank
Cowen, Frederic
Crosse, Gordon
Crotch, William
Curtis, Matthew
Davey, Sean
Davies, Peter Maxwell
Dickenson-Auner, Mary
Douglas, Clive
Dreyfus, George
Duncan, Trevor
Dunhill, Thomas
Du Plessis, Hubert
Dyson, George
Eckhardt-Grammaté, Sophie-Carmen
Edwards, Ross
Elgar, Edward
Elmsley, John
Fagan, Gideon
Farnon, Robert
Farquhar, David
Hurd, Michael
Fletcher, Percy
Frankel, Benjamin
Fricker, Peter Racine
Gál, Hans
Gardner, John
Gellman, Steven
Gerhard, Roberto
German, Edward
Gibbs, Cecil Armstrong
Gipps, Ruth
Glanville-Hicks, Peggy
Glick, Srul Irving
Goehr. Alexander
Golightly, David
Goossens, Eugene
Gross, Eric
Gunning, Christopher
Hadley, Patrick
Hamilton, Iain
Hanson, Raymond
Hart, Fritz
Harty, Hamilton
Hely-Hutchinson, Victor
Hétu, Jacques
Hill, Alfred
Hill, Mirrie
Hoddinott, Alun
Holland, Dulcie
Holst, Gustav
Horovitz, Joseph
Hughes, Robert
Jacob, Gordon
Jones, Daniel
Josephs, Wilfred
Joubert, John
Keal Minna
Kinsella, John
Knussen, Oliver
Lamond, Frederic
Le Gallienne, Dorian
Leighton, Kenneth
Lilburn, Douglas
Lloyd, George
Lloyd, Jonathan
Lovelock, William
Macfarren, George
MacMillan, James
Maconchy, Elizabeth
Mann, Leslie
Marshall-Hall, G.W.
Mathias, William
Matthews, David
Maw, Nicholas
McCabe, John
McEwen, John
McLeod, Jenny
McPhee, Colin
Meale, Richard
Metcalf, John
Milner, Anthony
Moeran, Ernest J.
Morawetz, Oskar
Morris, Reginald Owen
Orr, Robin
Panufnik, Andrzej
Papineau-Couture, Jean
Parrott, Ian
Parry, Hubert
Patterson, Paul 2
Penberthy, James
Pentland, Barbara
Pépin, Clermont
Phillips, Montague
Potter, Archibald J.
Potter, Phillip Cipriani
Rawsthorne, Alan
Rimmer, John
Ritchie, Anthony
Rogers, Eric
Rootham, Cyril
Rubbra, Edmund
Saxton, Robert
Scott, Cyril
Searle, Humphrey
Simpson, Robert
Smalley, Roger
Smith, Alice Mary
Somers, Harry
Standford, Patric
Stanford, Charles
Stevens, Bernard
Stevens, James
Still, Robert
Sullivan, Arthur
Tahourdin, Peter
Taylor, Matthew
Tippett, Michael
Tomlinson, Ernest
Tovey, Donald
Truscott, Harold
Turner, Robert
Vaughan Williams, Ralph
Vine, Carl
Wallace, Willliam
Walters, Gareth
Walton, William
Wellesz, Egon
Wesley, Samuel
Whettam, Graham
Whitlock, Percy
Willan, Healy
Williams, Grace
Williamson, Malcolm
Wilson, Thomas
Wood, Hugh
Wordsworth, William
Wyk, Arnold van
Young, Kenneth

 

SAMUEL WESLEY
(1766-1837)

Born in Bristol, he was the nephew of the founder of Methodism. A child prodigy, he was taught the organ and began to compose at the age of 8. He composed prolifically and his output included sacred works as well as works for orchestra, chamber groups and solo organ and other keyboard instruments. His 4 early Symphonies date from his teenage years (1781-4). He also wrote multiple Concertos for Organ, Harpsichord and Violin.

Symphony in B flat major (1802)
Mathias Bamert/London Mozart Players
( + Symphonies: in D major "Sinfonia Obligato," A major, D major and E flat major)
CHANDOS CHAN 9823 (2000)

Hilary Davan Wetton/Milton Keynes Chamber Orchestra
( + Symphonies: in A major, D major and E flat major)
UNICORN-KANCHANA DKPCD 9098 (1991)

Return to alphabetical index 

WILLIAM CROTCH
(1775-1847)

Born in Norwich. He was a child prodigy whose first public appearance was at the age of three and a half. His musical education was at Oxford where he was later appointed a professor and he also taught at the Royal Academy of Music. He was best known as an organist and pedagogue, but his compositions received many performances in his lifetime, especially his choral works. In addition to the Symphonies listed here, his mature orchestral output also includes 3 Organ Concertos.

Symphony in F major (1814)

Hilary Davan Wetton/Milton Keynes Chamber Orchestra
( + Symphony in E flat major, Organ Concerto No. 2 and Overture in G major)
UNICORN-KANCHANA DKPCD 9126 (1992)

Symphony in E Flat major (unfinished) (1817)

Hilary Davan Wetton/Milton Keynes Chamber Orchestra
( + Symphony in F major, Organ Concerto No. 2 and Overture in G major)
UNICORN-KANCHANA DKPCD 9126 (1992)

Return to alphabetical index 
 
 
PHILLIP CIPRIANI POTTER
(1792-1871)

Born in London. He studied with Joseph Atwood, Thomas Woellfl and William Crotch and became one of the first teachers at the Royal Academy of Music at its establishment in 1822. He composed at least 10 Symphonies whose dates and order are confusing. Symphony No. 1 (1819) is not extant and the remaining unrecorded numbered ones are: No. 2 in D major (1833), (No. 3) in B major (1834), No. 4 in D major (1834), No 5 in G minor (1833), No. 6 in C minor (1826) and (No. 9) in C minor. There is also a Symphony in E-flat (1846), 3 Piano Concertos and other orchestral works.
 
Symphony No. 7 in F major (1826)
Douglas Bostock/Czech Chamber Philharmonic Orchestra
( + Sterndale Bennett: Symphony in G minor)
CLASSICO CLASSCD 634 (2004) (The British Symphonic Collection - Vol. 14)
 
Symphony No. 8 in E flat major (1828)
Hilary Davan Wetton/Milton Keynes Chamber Orchestra
( + Symphony No. 10)
UNICORN DKP 9091 (1989)

Symphony No. 10 in G minor (1833)

Hilary Davan Wetton/Milton Keynes Chamber Orchestra
( + Symphony No. 8)
UNICORN DKP 9091 (1989)

Return to alphabetical index
 
 
SIR GEORGE MACFARREN
(1813-1887)

Born in London. He studied with his father (also named) George Macfarren and with Charles Lucas (1808-1869, composed 3 Symphonies) and Cipriani Potter at the Royal Academy of Music where he became a professor and then Principal. He also taught at Cambridge. He wrote 9 Symphonies of which the following have not been recorded: No.1 in C major (1828), No. 2 in D minor (1829) No. 3 in E minor (1831), No. 5 in A minor (1833), No. 6 in B flat major (1836), No. 8 in D major (1845) and No. 9 in E minor (1874). He also composed a Piano Concerto, Violin Concerto and several concert overtures.

Symphony No. 4 in F minor (1833)
Werner Andreas Albert/Queensland Philharmonic Orchestra
( + Symphony No. 7)
CPO 999 443-2 (1998)
 
Symphony 7 in C sharp minor (1839-40)
Werner Andreas Albert/Queensland Philharmonic Orchestra
( + Symphony No. 4)
CPO 999 443-2 (1998)

Return to alphabetical index
 
 
SIR WILLIAM STERNDALE BENNETT
(1816-1875)

Born in Sheffield. He studied with Charles Lucas, William Henry Holmes (1812-1885, composed a Symphony in B minor and several others) and William Crotch at the Royal Academy of Music and went to Germany in 1833 where he was championed by Mendelssohn and Schumann. He conducted and taught at Cambridge and the Royal Academy of which he became Principal. He wrote 5 Symphonies while still a student. The initial 4 early Symphonies are: No. 1 in E-flat (1832), No. 2 in D minor (1833), No. 3(1834) and No. 4 in A major (1834). He also wrote 5 Piano Concertos and several concert overtures.

Symphony (No. 5) in G Minor, WO 31 (1835)
Hilary Davan Wetton/Milton Keynes Chamber Orchestra
( + Piano Concerto No. 4 & Fantasy for piano { Malcolm Binns - (pno)})
UNICORN KANCHANA UKCD2032 (1999)
(original LP release: MILTON KEYNES MUSIC SERIES MKM 861) (1986)
 
Symphony in G minor op. 43 (1867)

Douglas Bostock/Czech Chamber Philharmonic Orchestra
( + Cipriani Potter: Symphony No. 7)
CLASSICO CLASSCD 634 (2004) (The British Symphonic Collection - Vol. 14)

Nicholas Braithwaite/London Philharmonic Orchestra
( + Overtures: Naiades, Woodnymphs, Parisina and May Queen)
LYRITA SRCD.206 (2007)

Return to alphabetical index
 
 
ALICE MARY SMITH
(1839-1884)

Born in London. She studied with William Sterndale Bennett and George Macfarren at the Royal Academy of Music. She composed prolifically producing both large and small-scale works and had considerable fame in her day and is thought to be the first Englishwoman to write a symphony. In addition to the examples listed below she also wrote a Symphony in G major, a Clarinet Concerto and several other works for orchestra.
 
Symphony in C minor (1863)
Howard Shelley/London Mozart Players
( + Symphony in A minor and Andante for Clarinet & Orchestra)
CHANDOS CHAN 10283 (2005)

Symphony in A minor (1876)
( + Symphony in C minor and Andante for Clarinet & Orchestra)
CHANDOS CHAN 10283 (2005)

Return to alphabetical index
 

SIR ARTHUR SULLIVAN
(1842-1900)

Born in London. The son of a bandmaster, he studied with William Sterndale Bennett, Arthur O’Leary and John Goss at the Royal Academy and went to Leipzig for further study with Ignaz Moscheles, Julius Rietz and Ferdinand David. In addition to composing, he had great success as a conductor and was also a teacher and organist. He gained immortality for his operas written with W.S.Gilbert. His other orchestral works include a Cello Concerto, 6 concert overtures and several marches.
 
Symphony in E major "The Irish" (1866)
Sir Charles Groves/Royal Liverpool Philharmonic
( + Cello Concerto {Julian Lloyd Webber - cello} & Overture di Ballo & Elgar: Romance)
EMI CDM 7 64726 2
(original LP release: HMV ASD 2435) (1969)

Richard Hickox/BBC Philharmonic
( + Suite from "The Tempest" & Overture in C "In Memoriam" )
CHANDOS CHAN 9859 (2000)

Owain Arwel Hughes/BBC Concert Orchestra
(+ Imperial March, Ballet "Victoria and Merrie
England" & Overture in C "In Memoriam")
CPO 999171-2  (1994)

David Lloyd-Jones/Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra
( + Pineapple Poll)
NAXOS 8.570351 (2007)

Return to alphabetical index
 
 
SIR (CHARLES) HUBERT H. PARRY
(1848-1918)

Born in Bournemouth. He studied with Henry Hugo Pierson in Stuttgart and William Sterndale Bennett and George Macfarren at the Royal Academy of Music and became one of the leading composers of his time. At the Royal College of Music, together with Stanford, Parry taught a long list of prominent British composers. His musical catalogue is vast and is particularly dominated by choral works. Among his other major orchestral works are a Piano Concerto, Symphonic Variations and the symphonic poem, "From Death to Life." His setting of William Blake’s "Jerusalem" is practically a second national anthem.

Symphonies Nos. 1 – 5
Matthias Bamert/London Philharmonic Orchestra
( + Symphonic Variations)
CHANDOS CHAN 9120 (3 CDs) (1994)
 
Symphony No. 1 in G major (1882)
William Boughton/English Symphony Orchestra
( + From Death to Life)
NIMBUS N15296 (1991)

Matthias Bamert/London Philharmonic Orchestra
( + Concertstück)
CHANDOS CHAN 9062 (1992)
 
Symphony No. 2 in F major "The Cambridge" (1887)
Matthias Bamert/London Philharmonic Orchestra
( + Symphonic Variations)
CHANDOS CHAN8961 (1991)

Andrew Penny/Royal Scottish National Orchestra
( + Symphonic Variations & Overture to an Unwritten Tragedy)
NAXOS 8.553469 (1996)
 
Symphony No. 3 in C major "The English" (1889)
Leopold Hager/Luxembourg Radio Symphony Orchestra
( + Concertstück + Havergal Brian: The Tigers Suite & John Foulds: St. Joan Suite, Pasquinade Symphonique No. 1 & Mirage)
FORLANE UCD 16724/25 (2 CDs)
(original LP release: FORLANE UM 3529/31 (3 LPs) (1982)

Matthias Bamert/London Philharmonic Orchestra
( + Symphony No. 4)
CHANDOS CHAN 8996 (1990)
 
Symphony 4 in E minor (1889)
Matthias Bamert/London Philharmonic Orchestra
( + Symphony No. 3)
CHANDOS CHAN 8996 (1990)
 
 
Symphony No. 5 in B minor "Symphonic Fantasia 1912"
Sir Adrian Boult/London Philharmonic Orchestra
( + Symphonic Variations, Elegy for Brahms & Blest Pair of Sirens)
EMI CDC 7 49022 2 (1987)
(original LP release of: EMI ASD 3725) (1979)

Matthias Bamert/London Philharmonic Orchestra
( + From Death to Life & Elegy for Brahms)
CHANDOS CHAN 8955 (1991)

Return to alphabetical index
 
 
SIR CHARLES VILLIERS STANFORD
(1852-1924)

Born in Dublin. After private studies with Arthur O’Leary and Robert P. Stewart as well as additional lessons at Cambridge, Stanford had further training in Germany by the eminent composers Carl Reinecke and Friedrich Kiel. He was one of the twin pillars of the Royal College of Music (along with Parry) responsible for the teaching of almost an entire generation of important British composers. Besides the cycle of Symphonies, Stanford’s major orchestral works include 3 Piano Concertos, a Violin Concerto, a Cello Concerto and 7 Irish Rhapsodies.
 
Symphonies Nos. 1-7
Vernon Handley/Ulster Orchestra
CHANDOS CHAN 9279 (4 CDs) (1994)
 
Symphony No. 1 in B flat major (1879)
Vernon Handley/Ulster Orchestra
( + Irish Rhapsody 2)
CHANDOS CHAN 9049 (1992)

Symphony 2 in D minor "Elegiac" (1880)
Vernon Handley/Ulster Orchestra
( + Clarinet Concerto {Janet Hilton - clarinet})
CHANDOS CHAN 8991 (1991)

David Lloyd-Jones/Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra
( + Symphony No. 5)
NAXOS 8.570289 (2007)

 
Symphony 3 in F minor, Op. 28 "Irish" (1887)
Norman Del Mar/Bournemouth Sinfonietta
( + Elgar: Scenes from the Bavarian Highlands)
EMI CDM 5 65129 2 DM5651292
(original LP release: EMI ASD 4221) (1982)

Vernon Handley/Ulster Orchestra
( + Irish Rhapsody No. 5)
CHANDOS CHAN 8545 (1987)
 
Symphony No. 4 in F major, Op. 31 (1889)
David Lloyd-Jones/Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra
( + Symphony No. 7)
Naxos 8.570285 (2007)

Vernon Handley/Ulster Orchestra
( + Irish Rhapsody No. 6 {Lydia Mordkovitch - violin} & Prelude to "Oedipus Rex")
CHANDOS CHAN 8884 (1990)
 
Symphony No. 5 in D major, Op. 56 "L’Allegro ed il Penseroso" (1895)
Vernon Handley/Ulster Orchestra ley
( + Irish Rhapsody No. 4)
CHANDOS CHAN 8581 (1988)

David Lloyd-Jones/Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra
( + Symphony No. 2)
NAXOS 8.570289 (2007)

 
Symphony No. 6 in E flat major, Op. 94 (1905)
Vernon Handley/Ulster Orchestra
( + Irish Rhapsody No. 1)
CHANDOS CHAN 8627 (1988)
 
Symphony No. 7 in D minor, Op. 124 (1911)
David Lloyd-Jones/Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra
( + Symphony No. 4)
NAXOS 8.570285 (2007)

Vernon Handley/Ulster Orchestra
( + Irish Rhapsody No. 3 {Raphael Wallfisch – cello} & Concert Piece {Gillian Weir – organ})
CHANDOS CHAN 8861 (1990)

Return to alphabetical index
 
 
SIR FREDERIC HYMEN COWEN
(1852-1935)

Born in Kingston, Jamaica but came to England in early childhood. As a child prodigy he had instructions from Julius Benedict (1804-1885, composed 2 Symphonies) and John Goss. He completed his musical education in Germany with Ignaz Moscheles, Moritz Hauptmann and Carl Reinecke. He wrote 6 Symphonies (the first 2 are not extant) that had great popularity in their time. In addition to those listed below, they are: No. 1 in C minor (1869), No. 2 in F minor (1872), No, 4 in B flat minor "Welsh" (1884) and No. 5 in F major (1887). There is also a Sinfonietta in A major (1881), a Piano Concerto and other works for orchestra.
 
Symphony No. 3 in C minor "Scandinavian" (1880)
Adrian Leaper/Czechoslovak State Philharmonic (Košice)
( + The Butterfly’s Ball & Indian Rhapsody)
MARCO POLO 8.223273 (1990)

Symphony No. 6 in E major "The Idyllic" (1897)
Douglas Bostock/Århus Symphony Orchestra
( + Coleridge-Taylor: Symphony in A minor)
CLASSICO CLASS CD 84 (2006) (The British Symphonic Collection - Vol. 15)

Return to alphabetical index
 
 
 

SIR EDWARD ELGAR
(1857-1934)

Born in Broadheath, Worcestershire, Elgar was the son of a music shop owner and received only private musical instruction. Despite this he is arguably England's greatest composer some of whose orchestral music has traveled around the world more than any of his compatriots. In addition to the Symphonies, his Cello and Violin Concertos and Enigma Variations are his other orchestral masterpieces. His many other works for orchestra including the Pomp and Circumstance Marches, Falstaff and Cockaigne Overture have been recorded numerous times. He was appointed Master of the King's Musick in 1924.

Symphonies Nos. 1 – 3

Sir Colin Davis/London Symphony Orchestra
LSO LIVE LSO 72 (3 CDs) (2005)

 

Symphony No.1 in A flat major Op.55 (1908)

Sir John Barbirolli/Philharmonia Orchestra
( + Cockaigne Overture)
EMI CDM 7 64511 2 (1993)
(original LP release: HMV ASD 540) (1963)

Sir John Barbirolli /Hallé Orchestra (rec. 1970)
( + Introduction and Allegro)
BBC LEGENDS 4106 (2002)

Sir John Barbirolli /Hallé Orchestra
( + Enigma Variations, Introduction and Allegro, Elegy for Strings and Bavarian Dances)
DUTTON CDSJB 1017 (2 CDs) (2000)
(original LP release: PYE CCL 30102/3) (1957)

Daniel Barenboim/London Philharmonic Orchestra
( + Cockaigne Overture and Romance {Martin Gatt – bassoon})
SONY ESSENTIAL CLASSICS SBK 53510 (1994)
(original LP release: CBS 76247) (1974)

Sir Adrian Boult/BBC Symphony Orchestra (rec. 1976)
( + works by: Berlioz, Gluck, Janacek, R. Strauss, Shostakovich, Tchaikovsky and Wagner)
CARLTON BBC RADIO CLASSICS DMCD98 (2 CDs) (1995)

Sir Adrian Boult/London Philharmonic Orchestra (rec. 1949)
( + In the South Overture)
TESTAMENT 1229 (2001)
(original LP release: HMV ALP 1052) (1953)

Sir Adrian Boult/London Philharmonic Orchestra
( + Symphony No. 2. Introduction and Allegro, Serenade for Strings, Grania and Diarmid and In the South Overture)
EMI BRITISH COMPOSERS 382 1512 (2 CDs) (2007)
(original LP release: HMV ASD 3330) (1977)

Sir Adrian Boult/London Philharmonic Orchestra
( + Symphony No. 2)
LYRITA SRCD221 (2 CDs) (2007)
(original LP release: LYRITA SRCS39) (1968)

Martyn Brabbins/Flemish Radio Orchestra
( + The Kingdom: Prelude)
GLOSSA GCDSA 922204 (2007)

Julian Clayton/Chetham’s Symphony Orchestra
OLYMPIC OCD 278 (1995)

Sir Andrew Davis /BBC Symphony Orchestra
( + Elegy for Strings and Sospiri)
APEX 0927490212 (2003)
(original CD release: TELDEC 9031-73278-2) (1993)

Sir Colin Davis/BBC Symphony Orchestra (rec. 1985)
( + Introduction and Allegro and Pomp and Circumstance March No. 1)
RCA CD 74321 24217-2 (1996)

Sir Colin Davis/London Symphony Orchestra
LSO LIVE LSO 0017 (2002)

Sir Colin Davis/Dresden Staatskapelle
( + Hector Berlioz: King Lear and Beatrice and Benedict Overtures)
HÄNSSLER PROFIL 5040 (2006)

Mark Elder/Hallé Orchestra
( + In the South Overture and song: "In the Moonlight")
HALLÉ 7500 (2003)

Sir Edward Elgar/London Symphony Orchestra (rec. 1930)
( + Falstaff)
EMI 567297-2 (2000)
(original LP release: WORLD RECORD CLUB 139) (1970)

Sir Alexander Gibson/Scottish National Orchestra
RCA Red Seal LRL1-5130. (LP) (1976)

Bernard Haitink/Philharmonia Orchestra
( + Symphony No. 2 and Pomp and Circumstance March No. 5)
EMI FORTE 5697612 (2 CDs) (1997)
(original LP release: HMV ASD 107794-1) (1984)

Vernon Handley/London Philharmonic Orchestra
( + Pomp and Circumstance Marches Nos. 1 – 5)
CLASSICS FOR PLEASURE CFP 75305 (1988)
(original LP release: CLASSICS FOR PLEASURE CFP 40331) (1980)

Sir Bernard Heinze/Sydney Symphony Orchestra
( + Cello Concerto, Sea Pictures, Nursery Suite, Cockaigne Overture, Serenade for Strings, Sospiri, Dream Children, Chanson de Matin, Prelude to the Kingdom and Pomp and Circumstance Marches Nos. 1 and 3)
ABC CLASSICS 476 6154 (3 CDs) (2007)
(original release: ABC A07002-A07003 {2 non-commercial LPs} (c.1974)

Richard Hickox/ BBC National Orchestra of Wales
( + Organ Sonata, Op. 28 {transcribed by Gordon Jacob})
CHANDOS CHSA5049 (2007)

George Hurst/BBC Philharmonic
( + Imperial March)
NAXOS 8.550634 (1994)

James Judd/Hallé Orchestra
(+ Introduction and Allegro, Serenade for Strings + works by Ralph Vaughan Williams, Benjamin Britten, Cecil Armstrong Gibbs, John Rutter, William Byrd and Henry Purcell)
CARLTON CLASSICS 6702799 (3 CDs) (1999)
(original CD release: CARLTON CLASSICS PCD 950) (1992)

James Loughran/Hallé Orchestra
( + Cockaigne Overture )
ASV QUICKSILVA QS 6082 (1993)
(original LP release: ASV ALHB 201) (1981)

Sir Charles Mackerras/London Symphony Orchestra
( + Cockaigne Overture )
ARGO 430 835-2 (1991)

Sir Neville Marriner/Academy of St. Martin in the Fields
( + In the South Overture )
REGIS RRC 16 (2005)
(original release: COLLINS CLASSICS 1269-2) (1991)

Sir Yehudi Menuhin/Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
( + Symphony No. 2, Pomp and Circumstance Marches Nos. 1 – 5, Empire March, Coronation March and Imperial March)
VIRGIN CLASSICS VERITAS CUV 561276-2 (2 CDs) (1998)
(original CD release: VIRGIN CLASSICS VC 7 90773-2) (1989)

Roger Norrington/Southwest German Radio Symphony Orchestra
( + Richard Wagner: Prelude to Act I of Die Meistersinger)
HÄNSSLER CLASSIC 93000 (2000)

Tadaaki Otaka/BBC National Orchestra of Wales
( + Introduction and Allegro)
BIS 727 (1995)

André Previn/Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
( + Symphony No. 2, Cockaigne Overture and Pomp and Circumstance Marches Nos. 1 – 5)
Philips Duo 454250 (2 CDs) (1996)
(original CD release: PHILIPS 612-2PH) (1987)

Sir John Pritchard/BBC Symphony Orchestra (rec. 1983)
( + In the South Overture )
CARLTON BBC RADIO CLASSICS BBCRD 9121 (1996)

Constantin Silvestri/Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra (rec. 1968)
( + Cockaigne Overture + works by Arnold, Britten, Tchaikovsky, Debussy and Enescu)
BBC LEGENDS 4182 (2 CDs) (2006)

Giuseppe Sinopoli/Philharmonia Orchestra
( + Symphony No. 2, In the South Overture and Pomp and Circumstance Marches Nos. 1 and 4)

DEUTSCHE GRAMMOPHON 4531032 (2 CDs) (1997)
(original CD release: DEUTSCHE GRAMMOPHON 4316 632) (1992)

Leonard Slatkin/London Philharmonic Orchestra
( + Symphony No. 2, Violin Concerto {Pinchas Zuckerman - violin}, Cello Concerto {Janos Starker -cello}, Enigma Variations, In the South Overture, Cockaigne Overture, Froissart Overture, Salut d'Amour)
RCA Victor Red Seal 60389 (4 CDs) (2004)
(original CD release : RCA CD RD60380 ) (1991)

Sir Georg Solti/London Philharmonic Orchestra
( + In the South Overture)
DECCA THE ORIGINALS 4758226 (2007)
(original LP release): DECCA SXL6569) (1972)

Stephen Somary/Thüringen Philharmonie (Suhl)
( + Cockaigne Overture)
CLAVES CD 50-9813 (1996)

Jeffrey Tate/London Symphony Orchestra
( + Symphony No. 2, Cockaigne Overture and Sospiri)
EMI GEMINI 5855122 (2 CDs) (2003)
(original CD release: EMI CDC7 54414-2) (1993)

Jeffrey Tate/Melbourne Symphony Orchestra
( + Mendelssohn: Hebrides Overture)
ABC CLASSICS 476 8365 (2005)

Bryden Thomson/London Philharmonic Orchestra
( + Symphony No. 2, The Sanguine Fan and Froissart Overture)
CHANDOS CHAN 241-21 (2 CDs) (2005)
(original CD release: CHANDOS CHAN 8451) (1986)

Bramwell Tovey/National Youth Orchestra of Scotland
( + Thea Musgrave: Horn Concerto {Michael Thompson – horn})
NATIONAL YOUTH ORCH OF SCOTLAND CD NYOS004 (1997)

David Zinman/Baltimore Symphony Orchstra
( + Pomp and Circumstance Marches Nos. 1 and 2)
TELARC CD80310 (1992)

 

Symphony No. 2 in E flat major, Op.63 (1910)

Sir John Barbirolli/Hallé Orchestra
( + Sospiri and Elegy for Strings)
EMI 7 64724 2 (1993)
(original LP release: HMV ASD 610/611 {2 LPs}) (1964)

Sir John Barbirolli/Hallé Orchestra (rec. 1954)
( + Cockaigne Overture and Dream Children {1 only})
EMI BRITISH COMPOSERS CDM 566399-2 (1997)
(original LP release: HMV ALP 1242) (1957)

Sir John Barbirolli/Boston Symphony Orchestra (rec. 1964)
( + Vaughan Williams: Symphony No. 6 and Delius: Walk to the Paradise Garden and Purcell: A New Suite )
MUSIC and ARTS CD-251 (2 CDs) (1984)

Daniel Barenboim/London Philharmonic Orchestra
( + Symphony No. 1, Cockaigne Overture, Serenade for Strings, Elegy for Strings and Romance {Martin Gatt - bassoon})
SONY ESSENTIALS SB2K89976 (2 CDs)
(original LP release: CBS 73094) (1973)

Sir Adrian Boult/BBC Symphony Orchestra (rec. 1944)
( + Dream of Gerontius: Prelude and Sospiri)
BEULAH 3PD15 (2005)
(original LP release: HMV TREASURY ED 29 0355-1) (1985)

Sir Adrian Boult/Scottish National Orchestra
WAVERLEY SLLP 1022 (LP) (1963)

Sir Adrian Boult/London Philharmonic Orchestra
NIXA CD NIXCD6011 (1989)
(original LP release: PYE NCL16018) (1957)

Sir Adrian Boult/London Philharmonic Orchestra
( + Symphony No.1. Introduction and Allegro, Serenade for Strings, Grania and Diarmid and In the South Overture)
EMI BRITISH COMPOSERS 382 1512 (2 CDs) (2007)
(original LP release: HMV ASD 3266) (1976)

Sir Adrian Boult/London Philharmonic Orchestra
( + Symphony No. 1)
LYRITA SRCD221 (2 CDs) (2007)
(original LP release: LYRITA SRCS40) (1968)

Sir Andrew Davis/BBC Symphony Orchestra
( + In the South Overture)
APEX 0927495862 (2003)
(original CD release: TELDEC 9031-74888-2) (1992)

Sir Colin Davis/London Symphony Orchestra
LSO LIVE LSO 0018 (2002)

Sir Edward Downes/BBC Philharmonic Orchestra
NAXOS 8 550635 (1994)

Mark Elder/Hallé Orchestra
( + Introduction and Allegro)
HALLÉ CDHLL 7507 (2004)

Sir Edward Elgar/Royal Albert Hall Orchestra (rec. 1925)
( + Violin Concerto {abridged - Marie Hall - violin}, Cello Concerto {abridged - Beatrice Harrison - cello}, Enigma Variations, Cockaigne Overture, In the South Overture, The Sanguine Fan, The Wand of Youth - Suites 1 and 2, 3 Bavarian Dances, Carissima, Chanson de Nuit, Polonia, Pomp and Circumstance Marches Nos. 1 and 4, Salut d'amour, etc.)
PEARL (PAVILION) CD GEMMCDS9951/5 (5 CDs) (1992)
(original LP release: PEARL GEM 116) (c. 1975)

Sir Edward Elgar/London Symphony Orchestra (rec. 1927)
( + Cello Concerto {Beatrice Harrison - cello})
NAXOS HISTORICAL 8.111260 (2007)
(original LP release: WORLD RECORD CLUB SH 163) (1971)

Sir Alexander Gibson/Royal Scottish National Orchestra
( + Crown of India Suite)
CHANDOS COLLECT CHAN 6523 (1991)
(original LP release: RCA RL 25158) (1978)

Bernard Haitink/Philharmonia Orchestra
( + Symphony No. 1 and Pomp and Circumstance March No. 5)
EMI FORTE 5697612 (2 CDs) (1997)
(original LP release: HMV EL 2701471-1) (1984)

Vernon Handley/London Philharmonic Orchestra
CLASSICS FOR PLEASURE CFP4544 (1988)
(original LP release: CLASSICS FOR PLEASURE CFP40350) (1981)

Richard Hickox/BBC National Orchestra of Wales
CHANDOS CHSA 5038 (2005)
CHSA 5038

Owain Arwel Hughes/National Youth Orchestra of Wales
( + Alun Hoddinott: Investiture Dances)
DIVINE ART 25045 (2006)

James Loughran/Hallé Orchestra
( + Serenade for Strings)
ASV CDQS6087 (1993)
(original LP release: WEA K53594) (1979)

Sir Charles Mackerras/Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
( + Sea Pictures {Della Jones - mezzo})
ARGO 443 321-2 (1994)

Sir Yehudi Menuhin/Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
( + Symphony No. 1, Pomp and Circumstance Marches Nos. 1 – 5, Empire March, Coronation March and Imperial March)
VIRGIN CLASSICS VERITAS CUV 561276-2 (2 CDs) (1998)
(original CD release: VIRGIN CLASSICS VC 91182-2) (1991)

André Previn/London Symphony Orchestra
( + Symphony No. 1, Cockaigne Overture and Pomp and Circumstance Marches Nos. 1 - 5)
PHILIPS DUO 454250 (2 CDs) (1996)
(original CD release: PHILIPS 442 152-2) (1985)

Sir Malcolm Sargent/BBC Symphony Orchestra (rec. 1964)
BBC MUSIC MAGAZINE BBC MM 280 (2007)

Leonard Slatkin/London Philharmonic Orchestra
( + Symphony No. 1, Violin Concerto {Pinchas Zuckerman – violin}, Cello Concerto {Janos Starker – cello}, Enigma Variations, In the South Overture, Cockaigne Overture, Froissart Overture, Salut
d'Amour)
RCA VICTOR RED SEAL 60389 (4 CDs) (2004)
(original CD release: RCA RED SEAL RD 60072) (1989)

Giuseppe Sinopoli/Philharmonia Orchestra
( + Symphony No. 1, In the South Overture and Pomp and Circumstance Marches Nos. 1 and 4)
DEUTSCHE GRAMMOPHON 4531032 (2 CDs) (1997)
(original CD release: DEUTSCHE GRAMMOPHON 423 085-2) (1989)

Sir Georg Solti/London Philharmonic Orchestra
( + Symphony No. 1, Cockaigne Overture and In the South Overture)
DECCA DOUBLE DECCA 443856-2 (2 CDs) (1995)
(original LP release: Decca SXL 6723) (1975)

Evgeni Svetlanov/USSR State Symphony Orchestra (rec.1979)
( + Sea Pictures { Larisa Avdeyeva - mezzo})
SCRIBENDUM SC032 (2004)
(original UK LP release: HMV Concert Classics SXLP 30539) (1982)

Jeffrey Tate/London Symphony Orchestra
( + Symphony No. 2, Cockaigne Overture and Sospiri)
EMI GEMINI 5855122 (2 CDs) (2003)
(original CD release: EMI CDC7 54192-2) (1991)

Bryden Thomson/London Philharmonic Orchestra
London Philharmonic Orchestra/Bryden Thomson
( + Symphony No. 1, The Sanguine Fan and Froissart Overture)
CHANDOS CHAN 241-21 (2 CDs) (2005)
(original CD release: CHANDOS CHAN 8452) (1986)

 

Symphony No. 3 in C minor, Op. 88 (elaborated by Anthony
Payne) (1933/1998)

Paul Daniel/Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra/
NAXOS 8.554719 (2000)

Sir Andrew Davis/BBC Symphony Orchestra
NMC D053 (1998)

Sir Colin Davis/London Symphony Orchestra
LSO LIVE LSO 0019 (2002)

Richard Hickox/BBC National Orchestra of Wales
( + Pomp and Circumstance March No. 6 and So Many True Princesses who Have Gone)
CHANDOS CHSA 5057 (2007)

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FREDERIC CLIFFE
(1857-1931)

Born in Bradford, Yorkshire. Studied with Arthur Sullivan, Ebenezer Prout (1835-1909, composer of 4 Symphonies), John Stainer and Frederick Taylor. He taught at both the Royal Academy and the Royal College of Music and produced a Second Symphony in E minor in 1892 as well as a Violin Concerto.
 
Symphony No. 1 in C minor (1889)
Christopher Fifield/Malmö Opera Orchestra
( + Cloud and Sunshine)
STERLING CDS-1055-2 (2003)

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WILLIAM WALLACE
(1860-1940)

Born in Greenock, Scotland. Trained as a medical doctor, he entered the Royal Academy of Music at the age of 29 where he later became a teacher. In addition to the Symphony, his orchestral works include a series of 6 symphonic poems on literary and historical subjects, suites and overtures.
 
Creation Symphony in C sharp minor (1899)
Martyn Brabbins/BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra
( + Pelleas and Melisande Suite & Prelude to The Eumenides)
HYPERION CDA66987 (1997)

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SIR EDWARD GERMAN
(1862-1936)

Born in Whitchurch, Shropshire. Studied at the Royal Academy of Music with Charles Steggal, Thomas Weist-Hill and Alfred Burnett. Better known for his music for the theater he is often considered Arthur Sullivan’s successor. His other major orchestral works include the suite "The Seasons," Theme and Six Diversions and the symphonic poem "Hamlet."
 
Symphony No. 1 in E minor (1887)
John Wilson/BBC Concert Orchestra
( + The Tempter Overture, Romeo and Juliet Prelude, Hamlet & The Willow Song)
DUTTON EPOCH CDLX 7156 (2005)
 
Symphony No. 2 in A minor "The Norwich" (1893)
Geoffrey Heald-Smith/City of Hull Youth Orchestra
( + Gordon Jacob: Barber of Seville Goes to the Devil)
GOUGH 7 DAVY GD2001 (LP) (1977)

Andrew Penny/National Symphony Orchestra of Ireland
( + Valse Gracieuse & Welsh Rhapsody)
MARCO POLO 8.223726 (1994)

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George W. H. Marshall-Hall
(1862-1915)

Born in London. He studied at the Royal College of Music with Walter Parratt, Hubert Parry and Frederick Bridge. He settled in Melbourne, Australia in 1891 and spent most of the remainder of his life there as composer, conductor, teacher and administrator. He composed over 60 works but nothing else major for orchestra.
 
Symphony in C minor (1892)
(adagio sostenuto movement only)
Warren Bebbington/Queensland Theatre Orchestra (rec.1986)
( + Symphony in E flat major)
MOVE MD 3081 (1995)
 
Symphony in E Flat major (1903)
Warren Bebbington/Queensland Theatre Orchestra (rec.1986)
( + adagio sostenuto movement from Symphony in C minor)
MOVE MD 3081 (1995)

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EUGÈNE D’ALBERT
(1865-1932)

Born in Glasgow. He studied at the National Training School in London with John Stainer, Arthur Sullivan and Ebenezer Prout. He went to Vienna for further study with Franz Liszt. He spent the rest of his life as a German opera composer who repudiated his British origins. Other major orchestral works include two Piano Concertos and a Cello Concerto.
 
Symphony in F major, Op. 4 (1886)
Ronald Zollman/Basel Symphony Orchestra
( + Cello Concerto {Antonio Meneses– cello})
PAN CLASSICS 510 066 (1993)

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FREDERIC LAMOND
(1868-1948)

Born in Glasgow. All of his musical studies were in Germany and included instructions from Franz Liszt and Hans von Bűlow. He achieved great fame as a concert pianist and composed very few works.
 
Symphony in A major, Op.3 (1889)
Martyn Brabbins/BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra
( + Overture "From the Scottish Highlands" & Sword Dance + Eugène d’Albert: Esther Overture)
HYPERION CDA67387 (2004)

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SIR JOHN BLACKWOOD McEWEN
(1868-1948)

Born in Hawick, Scotland. Studied at the Royal Academy of Music under Frederick Corder, Tobias Matthay and Ebenezer Prout and later became that institution’s principal. He wrote 4 other Symphonies as well as other orchestral works including a Viola Concerto, 4 suites and 3 Border Ballads.
 
Symphony in c sharp minor "A Solway Symphony" (1911)
Cuthbert Whitemore/Aeolian Orchestra (rec. 1923)
( + Holbrooke: Bronwen (excerpts)
PEARL OPAL 808 (LP) (1982)

Alasdair Mitchell/London Philharmonic Orchestra
( + Hills o’Heather & Where the Wild Thyme Blows)
CHANDOS CHAN 9345 (1995)

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SIR GRANVILLE BANTOCK
(1868-1946)

Born in London. Studied at the Royal Academy of Music with Frederick Corder. He was an enormously prolific composer whose orchestral output also included an early (incomplete) Symphony in C major (1884) and 6 large-scale tone poems. He also wrote 4 choral symphonies (unaccompanied) with the titles "Christus," "Atalanta in Calydon," "Vanity of Vanities" and "A Pageant of Human Life."
 
A Hebridean Symphony (Symphony No. 1) (1913)
Geoffrey Heald-Smith/City of Hull Youth Orchestra
( + Macbeth Overture)
GOUGH & DAVY GD2002 (1978)

Sir Adrian Boult/BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra
( + Pagan Symphony)
INTAGLIO INCD 704-1 (1993) ▼

Adrian Leaper/Czechoslovak State Philharmonic (Košice)
( + Old English Suite & Russian Scenes)
NAXOS 8.555473
(original CD release: MARCO POLO 8.223274) (1990)

Vernon Handley/Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
( + Celtic Symphony, The Witch of Atlas & The Sea Reivers)
HYPERION CDA66450 (1991)

Pagan Symphony (Symphony No. 2) (1927)
Maurice Handford/BBC Northern Symphony Orchestra
( + Hebridean Symphony)
INTAGLIO INCD 704-1 (1993) ▼

Sir Edward Downes/BBC Philharmonic
( + Arnold Bax: Tintagel and Northern Ballads Nos. 2 & 3)
CARLTON BBC RADIO CLASSICS IMP 5691592 (1996)

Vernon Handley/Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
( + Fifine at the Fair & Two Heroic Ballads)
HYPERION CDA66630 (1992)

"Claude Dupré/Versailles Symphony Orchestra"
(probably Maurice Handford/BBC Northern Symphony Orchestra)
ARIES LP 1606 ▼
 
The Cyprian Goddess (Symphony No. 3) (1938-9)
Vernon Handley/Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
( + Helena Variations & Dante and Beatrice)
HYPERION CDA66810 (1995)
 
Celtic Symphony (Symphony No. 4) (1940)
Walter Collins/London Promenade Orchestra
( + The Frogs Overture & Women’s Festival Overture)
PAXTON LPT 1003 (10" LP) (1959)

Vernon Handley/Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
( + Hebridean Symphony, The Witch of Atlas & The Sea Reivers)
HYPERION CDA66450 (1991)

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ALFRED FRANCIS HILL
(1870-1960)

Born in Melbourne, Australia. Studied with Gustav Schreck, Oscar Paul and Hans Sitt at the Leipzig Conservatory. He was active in both New Zealand and Australia as composer, conductor and teacher. He wrote 13 Symphonies of which only No. 1 in B flat major "The Maori" (1896-1900) was an original work for orchestra. This work and the Symphony No. 11 in E flat major "Four Nations" (1958) are the only unrecorded Hill Symphonies. All of the Symphonies after No. 1 were adapted from String Quartets that had mostly been written in the 1930’s. Other major works include Concertos for Piano, Violin and Viola.
 
Symphony No. 2 "Joy of Life" (1941)
Patrick Thomas/Genty Stevens (soprano), Norma Hunter (mezzo), Malcom Potter (tenor), Alan McKie (baritone), Adelaide Singers, Adelaide Philharmonic Choir/South Australian Symphony Orchestra
( + James Penberthy: Cantata on Hiroshima Panels)
FESTIVAL SFC-80018 (LP) (1972)
 
Symphony No. 3 in B minor "Australia" (1951)
Henry Krips/Sydney Symphony Orchestra
( + Viola Concerto {Robert Pikler – viola})
HMV (Australia) QALP 7524 (LP) (c. 1960)
 
Wilfred Lehmann/Queensland Symphony Orchestra
( + Symphony No. 7, The Lost Hunter and The Moon’s Golden Horn)
MARCO POLO 8.223537 (1995)

Thomas Mayer/West Australian Symphony Orchestra
( + John Antill, Raymond Hanson, et. al.: Variations on a Theme of Alfred Hill)
ABC RRCS-377 (non-commercial LP) (1975)
 
Symphony No. 4 in C minor "The Pursuit of Happiness" (1955)
Wilfred Lehmann/Melbourne Symphony Orchestra
( + Symphony No. 6 and The Sacred Mountain)
MARCO POLO 8.220345 (1985)
 
Symphony No. 5 in A minor "Carnival" (1955)
Wilfred Lehmann/Queensland Symphony Orchestra
( + Symphony No. 10, As Night Falls, Regrets and Tribute to a Musician)
MARCO POLO 8.223538 (1999)
 
Symphony No. 6 in B flat major "Celtic" (1956)
Wilfred Lehmann/Melbourne Symphony Orchestra
( + Symphony No. 4 and The Sacred Mountain)
MARCO POLO 8.220345 (1985)
 
Symphony No. 7 in E minor (1956)
Wilfred Lehmann/Queensland Symphony Orchestra
( + Symphony No. 7, The Lost Hunter and The Moon’s Golden Horn)
MARCO POLO 8.223537 (1995)
 
Symphony No. 8 in A for String Orchestra "The Mind of Man" (1957)
Tibor