Your first record of music by a British composer

[Mary Chambers]

I'm always amazed by the number of people on here who can remember their first records or first concerts. I have no idea. Probably Britten's Serenade for Tenor, Horn and Strings (Britten/Pears/Tuckwell), possibly Highlights from Peter Grimes. At least, those were probably the first ones I bought myself.

It would have been the Wombles, though, if they'd been invented then.

[Sir Velo]

Predictably we had "The Planets" played by the LPO under the baton of Boult. My mother had an old EP of Pomp & Circumstance No.1 c/w Nimrod, with a cover photo of the Walrus mustachioed elderly EE.

My own first recording was an all Tippett affair, ASMF/Marriner released on Decca's late 80s The British Collection series of CD reissues of earlier material. Typical of the period it was sponsored by a brewery (anyone remember Harveys Bristol Cream sponsoring CfP?) and had a lithograph of some yokel raising a pint glass while sitting on a rustic gate as the sun set.

[Ferretfancy]

Not as spooky as the Tam O'Shanter Overture, the UK title of the disc on which I had it being "Witch's Brew". I concur with your synopsis of the Leslie Jones disc. The Rawsthorne was the somewhat tougher nut, but well worth cracking.

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If you had an original RCA pressing of Witch's Brew it would probably fetch about £200, it's very collectable.

As for Leslie Jones, I still have a couple of his Haydn LPs with The Little Orchestra of London, and very fine they are. A complete set from these forces would have been terrific.

[BBMmk2]

I'm always amazed by the number of people on here who can remember their first records or first concerts. I have no idea. Probably Britten's Serenade for Tenor, Horn and Strings (Britten/Pears/Tuckwell), possibly Highlights from Peter Grimes. At least, those were probably the first ones I bought myself.

It would have been the Wombles, though, if they'd been invented then.

Like you, Mary, it's absolutely ages ago, too long ago to remember!

[teamsaint]

Whilst the 10,000 club members continue to crow, just remember who was first to 1,000... And 2,000.

Remembering that elusive first British record is more problematic. My father had numerous 78s including Purcell (Nymphs and Shepherds), Elgar and Sullivan. Also my Uncle gave a Sargent VW LP.
The first one I actually owned was Britten's Noye's Fludde (Argo), which must have been an exceptional pressing. I played it do death on all sorts of equipment, yet it remains in pristine condition.yt

Crowing?

A celebration of achievement, surely?!perhaps you have taken your eye off the ball, while you compile those lovely lists...

Anyway, back on topic, have found the RVW London which was my first. It was indeed on MFP sponsored by John Player Special, (loved those black packs, and a nice smoke too) and it was Handley/LPO.

[hedgehog]

the Argo LP of Byrd's masses in 3 & 4 parts (Willcocks, King's College).

[Nick Armstrong]

the Argo LP of Byrd's masses in 3 & 4 parts (Willcocks, King's College).

[Lordgeous]

Hard to remember but I think it was Eric Coates Dam Busters (78) followed by RVW Wasps. I also bought the Coates sheet music at the same time (still have it!).

[Roehre]

the Argo LP of Byrd's masses in 3 & 4 parts (Willcocks, King's College).

Still on my shelves

[CallMePaul]

Holst's Planets - LSO conducted by Sir Malcolm Sergeant on Decca Eclipse. I still have this and to my surprise the sleeve remains in pretty good condition given that I've had it over 40 years and it has moved house several times (at least 7, possibly 8!). The recording is dated 1958 and the Eclipse reissue has 1971 on the label. I have a feeling that this was the first classical LP I bought.

[EdgeleyRob]

I can even remember my second.



Strange thing is,I can't remember my first RVW record.

[LeMartinPecheur]

Further to my #24, I've suddenly recalled my absolutely first LP purchase, still on my shelves. 25p in a WHS Winchester sale c1970/71, and that was big money to a schoolboy. Hugh Bean and David Parkhouse "The Magic of the Violin", SAGA ERO 8009. and yes, amid Kreisler, Sarasate, Moskowski etc it does contain one track of English music!

So hurrah, let's hear it for...

...Elgar, La Capriceuse Op17!!!!

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

Crowing?

Yeah; I noticed that, too! And then he has the nerve to boast about getting the first 1000 and 2000 posts!!! What's that, then? "Rooking"?




PS: Don't you mean "CfP", ts?

[Serial_Apologist]

Holst's Planets - LSO conducted by Sir Malcolm Sergeant on Decca Eclipse. I still have this and to my surprise the sleeve remains in pretty good condition given that I've had it over 40 years and it has moved house several times (at least 7, possibly 8!). The recording is dated 1958 and the Eclipse reissue has 1971 on the label. I have a feeling that this was the first classical LP I bought.

I have this too - a remarkably clear recording of the work, if a little cavernous, and still my only one: they made 'em to last back then!

Not my first ever recording of a British work, but I couldn't say what that was.