News and Announcements   (updated April 09)

Donations being sought for creation of a ‘Vernon Handley Foundation’:  A new foundation honoring the memory of the late Vernon Handley is being created with the intent of promoting the performance of rarely-heard British music and supporting young orchestral musicians and aspiring orchestral musicians.  The Foundation hopes to create an endowment fund that will be used to support the Foundations aims in perpetuity.   Those interested in donating or finding out more about the Foundation should contact Peter Sheeran at 07710-807921 (in the UK) or by e-mail at: peter.sheeran@btinternet.com. 

Ashley Wass’s recording of Bax’s Symphonic Variations and Left-Hand Concerto released in April 09:  The exciting new Naxos recording with the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra and conductor James Judd is reviewed on this site by Christopher Webber.  See Review.

A Memorial Concert for Vernon “Tod” Handley Scheduled May 1:  The English Symphony Orchestra is honoring the memory of their former chief conductor by scheduling a memorial concert on May 1^st in Worcester Cathedral.   Details yet to be announced although I understand Vaughan Williams’ “Job” will be played.   Please see ESO Web Site for more details. 

Chandos has Tentative Plans to Continue Bax Recordings:  In an interview with Rob Barnett on the Music Website, Chandos founder Brian Couzens indicated his label intends to continue recording Bax’s orchestral music and suggested that English National Opera conductor Edward Gardner may be interested in taking over the series from the late Vernon Handley.   A program hasn’t been announced although it’s known Chandos would like to record the Viola Phantasy and possibly rerecord Christmas Eve.  More information will be provided as details become known.    

Dermot O'Byrne's play 'Red Owen' is now available as a print-on-demand paperback: Hayne Press, 2008 (ISBN: 1443787396).

Sir Arnold Bax on Facebook:  Bax has his own Facebook page titled “Arnold Bax: Unknown Master”.  The group has more than 150 members and is a good way for Bax fans to get to know each other.  www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=2324628897

Lyrita releases Iris Loveridge’s mono recordings of Bax’s piano music: Lyrita released  Iris Loveridge’s pioneering recordings of the four piano sonatas along with many of Bax’s shorter works for piano in November 2008.  These recordings were made in the early 1960s and have long been treasured by Baxians for their remarkable strength despite the mono sound.  The set will include those recordings of Bax made by Loveridge that were never released on LP.  Lyrita 3cds REAM3113.  (See Review)

Music and Men – The Life and Loves of Harriet Cohen: The History Press has published Helen Fry’s biography on the great English pianist and mistress of Sir Arnold Bax, Harriet Cohen.   Ms. Fry researched the archive of more than 3,000 letters between Bax and Cohen now in the British Library to tell the astonishing story of their relationship as well as her career and friendship with several other well known personalities of the 20^th Century.  (See Review)

Bax's Fifth Symphony for Piano Duet Published:  Travis and Emery have just published Walter Emery's arrangement of Bax's Fifth Symphony for piano duet (one piano, four hands). It was made some time in the 1930s but has remained in manuscript until now. It can be bought from Travis and Emery, 17 Cecil Court, London WC2N 4EZ (telephone: 020 7240 2129; e-mail: sales@travis-and-emery.com). The computer-generated score is very neat and clear. Price is £49.50.

First Print Edition of Bax’s ‘Salzburg’ Sonata:  Fand Music has published the first edition of Bax's Salzburg Sonata for piano in B flat. This piece, written in 1937, was never published in Bax’s lifetime, yet he clearly liked it as he incorporated part of it into the second movement of his Violin Concerto.  The price for the score is £14.95 and is available at: http://www.fandmusic.com/.

Join the Bax Yahoo Discussion Group: A new and very active Yahoo discussion group has been created devoted to Sir Arnold Bax. Those interested in joining should visit the group's web site at: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Arnoldbax/. This group will be a collecting point for feedback about every aspect of Bax's work.