Arthur Butterworth

[Bax-of-Delights]

While sitting at the keyboard today and idly checking through some Amazon listings for British music I came upon the name ARTHUR BUTTERWORTH who has some recordings of his symphonies on Dutton. I must admit I haven't come across him before and wondered if anyone (Sydney Grew?) had any comments to make on style and quality. There are a couple of enthusiastic reviewers on the Amazon site but I'd like see if there's a wider response.

Just downloaded the COMPLETE Rubbra symphonic cycle for £13.98. That's just about £1.30 a symphony.
Marvellous, this new technology thingy....

[Don Petter]

While sitting at the keyboard today and idly checking through some Amazon listings for British music I came upon the name ARTHUR BUTTERWORTH who has some recordings of his symphonies on Dutton. I must admit I haven't come across him before and wondered if anyone (Sydney Grew?) had any comments to make on style and quality. There are a couple of enthusiastic reviewers on the Amazon site but I'd like see if there's a wider response.

I'm not familiar with his works, but in my experience everything on Dutton Epoch seems to be a winner in its field.

Be wary of Amazon, though. Usually reckoned to be a cheap(est) source, for the Symphony No.5 etc, they are asking £31(!). Must be some mistake, surely. Dutton on their site sell them for £9.99, including the double with Symphony No. 4 at the same price. Crotchet charge much the same price as Dutton, I believe.

[BBMmk2]

His music is firmly influneced by the ladnscape of his northern roots. i have only come across his music for brass band, of which, his Imp[ressions for Brass Band is a very good startyer. Black Dyke Band, conducted by Nicholas Childs is a very good recording on Doyen.

[Curalach]

I have both of the Dutton orchestral releases with Butterworth conducting the RSNO and including, at no extra cost, a Barbirolli performance of Symphony No.1 from a Prom in 1958.
You will find detailed reviews here http://www.musicweb-international.co...a_cdlx7212.htm and here http://www.musicweb-international.co...h_cdlx7253.htm
If you look around on MusicWeb you will find articles written by Butterworth and photographs of the sessions.

His music is distinctly northern and robust. I like it very much. As an admirer of Bax, I'm sure that you would find much to enjoy. HMV.com do the Dutton discs at £7.99 each post free.

[Uncle Monty]

Over the New Year I was listening to the Dutton cd of Butterworth's Piano Trios and Viola Sonata. Highly recommended disc. It's said that some of his work owes too much to Vaughan Williams, but I didn't feel that with these pieces. The Viola Sonata was, to me, startlingly reminiscent in many places of Ireland's Cello Sonata, which I'm more familiar with. It's hard to characterise the pieces briefly, but they are healthy fresh-air music, though with a slightly melancholy or elegiac cast. It's an attractive combination

[Andrew Slater]

I'd sum him up as 'the English Sibelius'.

There's more information here:

http://landofllostcontent.blogspot.com/search/label/Arthur%20Butterworth

[Roehre]

I'd sum him up as 'the English Sibelius'.

IMO a good description, but my knowledge of his works is restricted to his Symphonies 1, 4, 5 and a Romance for horn and orchestra only. And let's not forget: he's still alive and kicking!

[BBMmk2]

Roehre, I am msure you would like the brass band cd I have mentioned, can be found here www.worldofbrass.com or here www.midlandcdclub.co.uk

[Bax-of-Delights]

Thanks for the replies all - especially Andrew Slater. I hadn't come across that site before and it looks especially interesting.

[Roehre]

Roehre, I am msure you would like the brass band cd I have mentioned, can be found here www.worldofbrass.com or here www.midlandcdclub.co.uk

Thanks for the link, BBM. Very interesting indeed (have to see my bank manager...)