Bliss, Arthur (1891 - 1975)

[BBMmk2]

Heads up - following on from Morning Heroes, a new Chandos recording of The Beatitudes plus the National Anthem is scheduled. Sessions are in May at Watford Colosseum following the SAD/BBCSC/BBCSO performance (Beatitudes only) at the Barbican.

That Morning heroes recording is very good indeed. Strongly recommended. The Beatitudes should be a most welcome addition the discography of Bliss's music on Chandos.

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

A performance (possibly the recording mentioned above)of Bliss' Beatitudes by the BBCSC&O conducted by Davis is to be broadcast on R3 next Friday afternoon at 3:15:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b09pm25x

[EdgeleyRob]

A performance (possibly the recording mentioned above)of Bliss' Beatitudes by the BBCSC&O conducted by Davis is to be broadcast on R3 next Friday afternoon at 3:15:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b09pm25x

[BBMmk2]

Yes! I saw that. He has done some excellent work at Chandos.

[Arnold Bax]

I did see Tod Handley at the Proms years ago in an all British programme consisting of Bliss's wonderful Colour Symphony, coupled with Delius's Cello Concerto. Quite brilliant.

[Keraulophone]

The Beatitudes should be a most welcome addition the discography of Bliss's music on Chandos.

This SACD is advertised in Gramophone by Chandos as its ‘disc of the month’. C/W Introduction and allegro and God Save the Queen.

Sir Arthur’s desert island choices (1972) are rather unusual, including the laugh of the Kookaburra, the howl of wolves, and an Indian Raga for early evening to relax to beneath a palm tree.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p009nbjk

[BBMmk2]

I did see Tod Handley at the Proms years ago in an all British programme consisting of Bliss's wonderful Colour Symphony, coupled with Delius's Cello Concerto. Quite brilliant.

Looking at the score, the harp part certainly looks very active!

[BBMmk2]

Heard Peter Donoghoe’s most excellent recording of the PC this morning. A treat!

[Cockney Sparrow]

I know its not quite the done thing on this forum to namecheck a forthcoming performance if one is involved, but I hope I can be forgiven in the case of "Morning Heroes" given the comments upthread about the paucity of performances.

https://watfordcolosseum.co.uk/Online/tickets-bbc-herts-chorus-watford-2018

Apart from anything else, I'm looking forward to hearing Samuel West as narrator. Incidentally, the Britten work referred to but not named is of course "Ballad of Heroes".

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

I know its not quite the done thing on this forum to namecheck a forthcoming performance if one is involved

News to me, CS - it's been "done" frequently. So long as no money is solicited on or via the Forum, "Spam" links are avoided, and events/recordings are of repertoire of interest to Forumistas, I regard it as "part of the service" of sharing information.

[BBMmk2]

I know its not quite the done thing on this forum to namecheck a forthcoming performance if one is involved, but I hope I can be forgiven in the case of "Morning Heroes" given the comments upthread about the paucity of performances.

https://watfordcolosseum.co.uk/Online/tickets-bbc-herts-chorus-watford-2018

Apart from anything else, I'm looking forward to hearing Samuel West as narrator. Incidentally, the Britten work referred to but not named is of course "Ballad of Heroes".

Good luck with that concert. I might just listen to those. Sounds a very good coupling.

[Cockney Sparrow]

We received some appreciative feedback from Bliss supporters / enthusiasts who attended the concert (and others) so hopefully it would be worth a listen when it is broadcast tonight (7.30pm, Radio 3).

https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m0000yt9

[BBMmk2]

We received some appreciative feedback from Bliss supporters / enthusiasts who attended the concert (and others) so hopefully it would be worth a listen when it is broadcast tonight (7.30pm, Radio 3).

https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m0000yt9

I’ll be listening!

[frankbridge]

I had the great good fortune to hear Tod Handley conduct Bliss's wonderful Colour Symphony at the Proms, early 1990s, with Alexander Baillie in the Delius Cello Concerto. I've got tons of his works, and reckon his output is top rate

I've been listening to his Oboe and Clarinet Quintets on the (excellent) Melos Ensemble Icon box set: they seem to be first-rate works.

He's certainly a neglected composer but I believe there is a dedicated box set from EMI. I've never heard Colour Symphony, his most famous work. From what I've heard, the composer he seems closest to in character is William Alwyn.

Any views on Bliss?

[BBMmk2]

I had the great good fortune to hear Tod Handley conduct Bliss's wonderful Colour Symphony at the Proms, early 1990s, with Alexander Baillie in the Delius Cello Concerto. I've got tons of his works, and reckon his output is top rate

I would loved to have gone to that one!