Rubbra, Edmund (1901 - 1986)

[ahinton]

A fabulous piano concerto. Whilst not broody, especially the third movement, it is tinged with introspection and Rubbra avoids even a hint of anything meretricious, and delivers gorgeous music, wave after wave in this concerto. Rubbra was simply a very classy act in everything he did (domestic stuff aside!).

I can't believe I've never investigated this work before. The strings in this recording are somewhat emaciated, but other than that it sounds very good. I'm not qualified to assess Denis Matthews playing, but it sounded wonderful to my ears! Boult is always on the money in this kind of thing and it all adds up to a great performance. But I can't help thinking that a modern recording is more than deserved.

Once again, thanks to Andrew Slater for bringing this to our attention

I have here a published 2-piano reduction of this score as well as the published full score, each signed by the composer to Kaikhosru Shapurji Sorabji; frustratingly, I've never seen a single letter between them in either direction! It was Rubbra's second piano concerto but he had withdrawn the first one for a reason that is unclear to me...

[Beef Oven!]

I have here a published 2-piano reduction of this score as well as the published full score, each signed by the composer to Kaikhosru Shapurji Sorabji; frustratingly, I've never seen a single letter between them in either direction! It was Rubbra's second piano concerto but he had withdrawn the first one for a reason that is unclear to me...

That is very interesting and you are privileged. Don't ask me to explain, but I've often felt a connection between Rubbra and K.S. Sorabji (and also the latter with Havergal Brian).

[Pulcinella]

A fabulous piano concerto. Whilst not broody, especially the third movement, it is tinged with introspection and Rubbra avoids even a hint of anything meretricious, and delivers gorgeous music, wave after wave in this concerto. Rubbra was simply a very classy act in everything he did (domestic stuff aside!).

I can't believe I've never investigated this work before. The strings in this recording are somewhat emaciated, but other than that it sounds very good. I'm not qualified to assess Denis Matthews playing, but it sounded wonderful to my ears! Boult is always on the money in this kind of thing and it all adds up to a great performance. But I can't help thinking that a modern recording is more than deserved.

Once again, thanks to Andrew Slater for bringing this to our attention

Sargent, Beefy!

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

Sargent Beefy!

What's Phil Silvers got to do with it?

[Serial_Apologist]

What's Phil Silvers got to do with it?

Maybe his privates!

[antongould]

I heard a movement of the 4th Symphony on Breakfast the other morning and realised I had quite forgotten how much I liked it. I did a bit of digging and found on BBC Genome, or whatever, the composer on Desert Island Discs …. none of the music choices were played but I found it very interesting …..

[smittims]

Rubbra was an interesting man, quiet but a deep thinker about all sorts of spiritual matters. His music is worth repeated hearings, as it's never 'in your face' and takes a while to reveal itself. I think the seventh will always be my favourite but the second , fifth and sixth are up there as well. A rarity is his choral suite 'Inscape' (settngs of GM Hopkins) which I have on an old Decca LP. Many of his works tended to get performed and then forgotten.

[Pulcinella]

Rubbra was an interesting man, quiet but a deep thinker about all sorts of spiritual matters. His music is worth repeated hearings, as it's never 'in your face' and takes a while to reveal itself. I think the seventh will always be my favourite but the second , fifth and sixth are up there as well. A rarity is his choral suite 'Inscape' (settngs of GM Hopkins) which I have on an old Decca LP. Many of his works tended to get performed and then forgotten.

There's a Hickox recording of Inscape:

https://www.prestomusic.com/classical/products/7922915--rubbra-inscape-op-122-etc

[Master Jacques]

Rubbra was an interesting man, quiet but a deep thinker about all sorts of spiritual matters. His music is worth repeated hearings, as it's never 'in your face' and takes a while to reveal itself. I think the seventh will always be my favourite but the second , fifth and sixth are up there as well. A rarity is his choral suite 'Inscape' (settngs of GM Hopkins) which I have on an old Decca LP. Many of his works tended to get performed and then forgotten.

A deep thinker, and a deep composer, whose symphonic works always have something more to offer the listener, no matter however well we think we might know them. I rather think his works are biding their time, awaiting a more sympathetic, thoughtful and patient age. The 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th and 8th Symphonies will never be forgotten, by anyone who demands more from music than quasi-pharmaceutical uppers and downers.

There's a radiant performance of the 4th on an old BBC Music Magazine freebie CD (BBC Northern, conducted by Malcolm Arnold, of all people) which I would not swap for anything.

[Pulcinella]

A deep thinker, and a deep composer, whose symphonic works always have something more to offer the listener, no matter however well we think we might know them. I rather think his works are biding their time, awaiting a more sympathetic, thoughtful and patient age. The 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th and 8th Symphonies will never be forgotten, by anyone who demands more from music than quasi-pharmaceutical uppers and downers.

There's a radiant performance of the 4th on an old BBC Music Magazine freebie CD (BBC Northern, conducted by Malcolm Arnold, of all people) which I would not swap for anything.

Really? Not in the catalogue of BBC MM CDs, and I certainly don't recall it, and I have them all!
There's a BBC Radio Classics (Carlton) release of S4 (LSO/Handley, c/w the Piano concerto and Soliloquy).

[Master Jacques]

Really? Not in the catalogue of BBC MM CDs, and I certainly don't recall it, and I have them all!
There's a BBC Radio Classics (Carlton) release of S4 (LSO/Handley, c/w the Piano concerto and Soliloquy).

You can hear Malcolm Arnold's performance here:

https://youtu.be/BEac9Z8kh4g

I must have dreamt the disc up! I'd thought it was coupled with Checkmate suite and Froissart, as in the original - very memorable - lunchtime concert.

[smittims]

Glad to hear Hickox recorded Inscape. He was just the man for that work.

[Bella Kemp]

This is a wonderful thread. I have always found Rubbra's music rather unapproachable, but will explore more given the suggestions here. Thank you.

[Pulcinella]

A plug for the viola concerto, nicely paired with Walton (original 1928) here:

https://www.prestomusic.com/classical/products/7955352--walton-rubbra-viola-concertos

[Maclintick]

A plug for the viola concerto, nicely paired with Walton (original 1928) here:

https://www.prestomusic.com/classica...iola-concertos

That's an excellent disc, bought originally for Walton 1928 but Rubbra's concerto is much more than just a bonus. Just listening to this fine recording.

https://www.prestomusic.com/classical/products/8773246--the-romantic-piano-concerto-81-rubbra-bliss