Alwyn

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

The Presto site lists them:
http://www.prestoclassical.co.uk/sm/...|Orchestra-b/3

My goodness! I'm sure I visited the Presto site but could only find piano music!* Many thanks, indeed, Pulcie.

(I suppose that there is a perfectly good reason why the Third and Fourth Symphonies are more than double the price of the other three? )

Thanks to Makro, too.


* - Aha! Checking my search history, I see that it was Musicroom that led me to think this. I can think why I didn't check Presto - but it's probably better if I don't dwell on it.

[pastoralguy]

My introduction to Alwyn was playing his Third Symphony during a Rehearsal Orchestra course under Harry Legge. It was chosen for the informal concert so we actually rehearsed it instead of simply playing it through. I got the Lyrita Lp which I played to death and got to know it well. Alas, although I've listened to other works of his, nothing has really stuck.

[richardfinegold]

My introduction to Alwyn was playing his Third Symphony during a Rehearsal Orchestra course under Harry Legge. It was chosen for the informal concert so we actually rehearsed it instead of simply playing it through. I got the Lyrita Lp which I played to death and got to know it well. Alas, although I've listened to other works of his, nothing has really stuck.

There seem to be several works featuring harp with various instrumental pairings. I was listening to our local Classical station and heard one of them but failed to catch the title and theposted program schedule was insufficient about which piece it was. I streamed what must have been a different work that also "didn't catch" as the former had

[Pulcinella]

There seem to be several works featuring harp with various instrumental pairings. I was listening to our local Classical station and heard one of them but failed to catch the title and theposted program schedule was insufficient about which piece it was. I streamed what must have been a different work that also "didn't catch" as the former had

Might have been his concerto for harp and string orchestra, Lyra angelica?

http://www.prestoclassical.co.uk/w/7737/William-Alwyn-Lyra-Angelica

Or the concerto for oboe, strings, and harp?

http://www.prestoclassical.co.uk/w/70800/William-Alwyn-Concerto-for-Oboe-String-Orchestra-and-Harp

[richardfinegold]

I downloaded the Second Symphony, with Richard Hickox conducting the LSO on Chandos, a few days ago, finally had time today to listen. It fit the bill for what I was hoping to get, a modern (ok, it's ninety years old) and accessible post romantic piece with a bit of an edge, somewhat recalling if not sounding like RVW Fourth. Now I'm going to try the Composers recording and 1&3.

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

The last nine minutes of the Second are quite wonderful, aren't they - that rich, resonant string melody; full tone, molto vibrato. Cor!

(But it was written in 1952/53, rfg - a nipper of 65, not 90.)

[teamsaint]

I downloaded the Second Symphony, with Richard Hickox conducting the LSO on Chandos, a few days ago, finally had time today to listen. It fit the bill for what I was hoping to get, a modern (ok, it's ninety years old) and accessible post romantic piece with a bit of an edge, somewhat recalling if not sounding like RVW Fourth. Now I'm going to try the Composers recording and 1&3.

Worth reading up a bit, RFG, if I may suggest. The first four symphonies were conceived as a cycle,or four parts of a greater whole.
i can't , though, suggest anything really good to read on this,mbut perhaps others can.

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

Worth reading up a bit, RFG, if I may suggest. The first four symphonies were conceived as a cycle,or four parts of a greater whole.
i can't , though, suggest anything really good to read on this,mbut perhaps others can.

I haven't read any studies of him - and what's available isn't cheap:

The composer talking about his own work should be a good starting point:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Composing-Words-William-Alwyn-Musicians/dp/090768971X

The only "life-and-works" study seems to be this:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Innumerable-Dance-Life-William-Alwyn/dp/184383412X

The film Music is covered in this:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/William-Alwyn-Art-Film-Music/dp/1843831597

And the "heavier" duty academic stuff in this:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/William-Alwyn-Information-Routledge-Bibliographies/dp/0415886058

[richardfinegold]

Worth reading up a bit, RFG, if I may suggest. The first four symphonies were conceived as a cycle,or four parts of a greater whole.
i can't , though, suggest anything really good to read on this,mbut perhaps others can.

I have tried to read a bit on line, but as ferney suggested, the pickings are slim. Mainly it's reviewsof recordings, and one reviewer quoted Alwyn as stating that the Second was his personal favorite so I decided to start there. I've now listened to 1&3 but wasn't able to really devote whole attention so will hold off with any opinions. And I agree with ferney that the last part of the Second is marvelous.
I am also going to seek out an album of those harp works, and he did write a lot of Chamber Music, but his main output seems to have been for the cinema

[Lat-Literal]

I believe the full details are:

Alwyn, William (1905-1985)

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

I believe the full details are:
Alwyn, William (1905-1985)

As, indeed, they shall be when this Thread is copied onto the "Composers" sub-forum.

[vinteuil]

I believe the full details are:

Alwyn, William (1905-1985)

... or, to be completely correct,

Smith, William Alwyn [1905-1985]

... useless trivial pursuit factoid - William Alwyn Smith CBE was a cousin of Gary Cooper. Norra lorra people know that.


.

[Serial_Apologist]

... or, to be completely correct,

Smith, William Alwyn [1905-1985]

... useless trivial pursuit factoid - William Alwyn Smith CBE was a cousin of Gary Cooper. Norra lorra people know that.


.

He sounds much nicer without the Smith, though...

[vinteuil]

He sounds much nicer without the Smith, though...

... oo, you're such a snob, serial!


.

[Serial_Apologist]

... oo, you're such a snob, serial!


.

All Smiths will be sent back to the foundry for re-education, when Jeremy Corbyn gets in!