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This second volume of Brian's writings shows him to have been one
of the most perceptive commentators on contemporary music in the
twentieth century. In this second volume of selections from his
journalism, written over four decades between 1907 and 1946, the
maverick English composer Havergal Brian [1876-1972] directs his
enquiring mind at the music being composed in France,Germany, Italy
and elsewhere, while he and his British contemporaries were
fighting to establish new music at home. Richard Strauss figures
prominently among the composers discussed, beginning with reviews
of Halle and Queen's Hall concerts in 1907 and 1910. But even
Strauss was not treated as lavishly as another whose music clearly
fascinated Brian deeply: Arnold Schoenberg. From Gurrelieder to the
Violin Concerto, Brian emerges as one of Schoenberg's most
sympathetic and understanding champions among the English critical
fraternity in the inter-War period. Other composers featured
include Bartok, Berg, Busoni, Debussy, Dohnanyi, Dukas, Glazunov,
Grieg, Hindemith, Kilpinen, Lehar,Mahler, Messager, Puccini,
Rachmaninov, Ravel, Respighi, Shostakovich, Sibelius, Sousa,
Stravinsky, Szymanowski, Tailleferre and Varese - as well as
figures now obscure such as Alfred Bruneau, August Bungert, Cesar
Geloso and Wilhelm Kienzl. Malcolm MacDonald's introductions and
annotations provide the background to each piece and cast light on
Brian's more obscure references.
Best known as a prolific composer of symphonies, this volume pulls
together Brian's much less known vast journalistic output and
explores personal insights and reminiscence. This first volume of
selections of his writings brings together many of Brian's
principal writings on the composers and events of the British
Musical Renaissance from polemical articles written when actively
campaigning for his fellow-composers in the Midlands before World
War I to more considered appraisals of the inter-War period. As
well as discussing a wide range of composers, from Elgar and Delius
to Britten and Billy Mayerl, he can be found here reviewing
festivals, adjudicating at brass-band championships at the Crystal
Palace [and watching the Palace burn down in 1936], proposing
schemes for the encouragement of orchestral music, and casting a
critical eye on the burgeoningpower and influence of the B.B.C.
Malcolm MacDonald's substantial introduction and annotations make
this book both a work of scholarship and an important historical
source for an understanding of the British music of the early
twentieth century.
Best known as a prolific composer of symphonies, this volume pulls
together Brian's much less known vast journalistic output and
explores personal insights and reminiscence. This first volume of
selections of his writings brings together many of Brian's
principal writings on the composers and events of the British
Musical Renaissance from polemical articles written when actively
campaigning for his fellow-composers in the Midlands before World
War I to more considered appraisals of the inter-War period. As
well as discussing a wide range of composers, from Elgar and Delius
to Britten and Billy Mayerl, he can be found here reviewing
festivals, adjudicating at brass-band championships at the Crystal
Palace [and watching the Palace burn down in 1936], proposing
schemes for the encouragement of orchestral music, and casting a
critical eye on the burgeoningpower and influence of the B.B.C.
Malcolm MacDonald's substantial introduction and annotations make
this book both a work of scholarship and an important historical
source for an understanding of the British music of the early
twentieth century.
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