After the slightly 4-squared opening movement, this attractive symphony pulls you right in to its sophisticated melodic and harmonic language. The ultra-pastoral slow movement is extended gorgeousness, and never gets bogged down. The scherzo (could someone, please, tell me what time signature it has?!) is stupendous and unrelenting. The finale's joyous use of folk-like melody lead to only faux-gloriousness - and an elaborate violin remembrance of the slow movement - and a very clever upbeat, without being overdone, extended cadence. Very glad to have heard it!
It is the statue of Hood outside Nottingham Castle, my old stamping ground. When I was a lad, his arrow was regularly nicked, so it's nice to see him with it.
This is an example of a fine programmatic symphony; very British, but not very spiritual, in that it doesn't probe much beyond surface emotions, as Vaughan Williams and Elgar do. That's not a criticism, just an observation.
After the slightly 4-squared opening movement, this attractive symphony pulls you right in to its sophisticated melodic and harmonic language. The ultra-pastoral slow movement is extended gorgeousness, and never gets bogged down. The scherzo (could someone, please, tell me what time signature it has?!) is stupendous and unrelenting. The finale's joyous use of folk-like melody lead to only faux-gloriousness - and an elaborate violin remembrance of the slow movement - and a very clever upbeat, without being overdone, extended cadence. Very glad to have heard it!
Thanks for posting the notes and the link to your blog as well as the piece itself!
thank you!!!
My home town.. Not a bad tribute, for a composer from That London.
is the Dutton release of a few months back. Get at on CD.
Presumably the archer in the picture is Robin Hood. If so, a nice touch.
It is the statue of Hood outside Nottingham Castle, my old stamping ground. When I was a lad, his arrow was regularly nicked, so it's nice to see him with it.
This is an example of a fine programmatic symphony; very British, but not very spiritual, in that it doesn't probe much beyond surface emotions, as Vaughan Williams and Elgar do. That's not a criticism, just an observation.