Gurney’s Gloucestershire Rhapsody, BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra/David Parry

[Stanfordian]

It was pleasing to hear Ivor Gurney’s Gloucestershire Rhapsody for orchestra (1919/21) an attractive work and well worth hearing. I think the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra under David Parry showed the work off to good advantage.

[JFLL]

Yes, I'm listening to it it now. The only Gurney I knew was the song-cycle 'Ludlow and Teme'. Do you happen to know whether the Gloucs Rhapsody is being recorded, Stanfordian?

[Roehre]

IF it is recorded I think it will appear on the Dutton label. It certainly fits well among the unknown British orchestral works recorded by them the last couple of years (and Hyperion is another potential publisher)

[Stanfordian]

Yes, I'm listening to it it now. The only Gurney I knew was the song-cycle 'Ludlow and Teme'. Do you happen to know whether the Gloucs Rhapsody is being recorded, Stanfordian?

Sorry JFLL,

I didn't catch the whole programme but I expect it will be recorded. Gurney was of course a pupil of Stanford at the RCM, London.

I you love Gurney's songs I can suggest the disc ‘Severn Meadows’ - Songs by Ivor Gurney, Sung by Paul Agnew (tenor) & Julius Drake (piano). Recorded 2000 Henry Wood hall, London on Hyperion. It is a treasured disc of mine; probably my most played disc of songs including lieder.

[EdgeleyRob]

First time I've ever heard this,a lovely piece.

[Roehre]

First time I've ever heard this,a lovely piece.

I was rather surprised that Korngold came to mind a couple of times , as did Elgar, btw .

[Pabmusic]

First time I've ever heard this,a lovely piece.

It wasn't performed until 2009, at the Three Choirs. It is one of a number of pieces lined up for recordings connected with the WW1 centenary.

[JFLL]

Sorry JFLL,

I didn't catch the whole programme but I expect it will be recorded. Gurney was of course a pupil of Stanford at the RCM, London.

I you love Gurney's songs I can suggest the disc ‘Severn Meadows’ - Songs by Ivor Gurney, Sung by Paul Agnew (tenor) & Julius Drake (piano). Recorded 2000 Henry Wood hall, London on Hyperion. It is a treasured disc of mine; probably my most played disc of songs including lieder.

Thank you, Stanfordian, I shall seek that one out.

[Pabmusic]

...Gurney was of course a pupil of Stanford at the RCM, London...

And before that he was a pupil of Herbert Brewer, the organist at Gloucester cathedral (Elgarians will know the name). His fellow pupils with Brewer were Herbert Howells and Ivor Novello!

Incidentally, although he was a noted poet, Gurney set his own poetry only once (I think) - the song Severn Meadows.