Rubbra, Edmund

[Beef Oven!]

Rubbra being 'Composer of the Week' last September, reignited my interest in the broader areas of his music - being a long standing admirer of this neglected British composer’s symphonies. And in November, I got further insight into Rubbra’s music when I attended the study day at the Royal College of Music.

Among the voice and chamber works, I’d pick out two sets of his music that I’ve been particularly enjoying - string quartets 1-4 & complete chamber music & songs with harp. I’m not fully conversant with the string quartets yet, but No.3 is a favourite that I return to often.

As strong as his choral (esp. motets) and chamber music is, I’d be surprised if it replaces his symphonies in my ears’ heart.

[Alison]

A new top notch cycle of the symphonies is the classical catalogue's most urgent requirement.

[Beef Oven!]

A new top notch cycle of the symphonies is the classical catalogue's most urgent requirement.

While we wait for Manze, I’d say the Lyrita ones are the ones to go for, but the Hickox set on Chandos is complete and is a steal as a 16 bit CD quality download from Qobuz for a miserly £15.99.

Manze should have done a PMD &/or Rubbra cycle instead of yet another RVW.

[Alison]

As we've said before Brabbers might be the man, at least when he's finished his Tippett series.

[Beef Oven!]

As we've said before Brabbers might be the man, at least when he's finished his Tippett series.

[Alison]

Hickox somehow lacks fibrous inner qualities. Music better than it has so far been performed one feels.

[teamsaint]

this new sub forum is great.

It is enabling us to buy yet more CDs, some of which haven't even been recorded yet.

[Beef Oven!]

this new sub forum is great.

It is enabling us to buy yet more CDs, some of which haven't even been recorded yet.

[Alison]

this new sub forum is great.

It is enabling us to buy yet more CDs, some of which haven't even been recorded yet.

As my mum used to say, can't you find anything to listen to from what you've already got?

[Pulcinella]

Hard to pick favourites, but high up are Symphony 8 (as I was at the premiere, in Liverpool, as I know I've mentioned before) and the St Dominic Mass.
That premiere performance is available here:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Rubbra-Synfonia-No-6-Symphony-No-8/dp/B000KDSCCK/ref=sr_1_1?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1487368382&sr=1-1&keywords=Rubbra+groves+boult

I very much like his concertos (piano, violin, viola) too.

[Beef Oven!]

Hard to pick favourites, but high up are Symphony 8 (as I was at the premiere, in Liverpool, as I know I've mentioned before) and the St Dominic Mass.
That premiere performance is available here:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Rubbra-Synfonia-No-6-Symphony-No-8/dp/B000KDSCCK/ref=sr_1_1?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1487368382&sr=1-1&keywords=Rubbra+groves+boult

I very much like his concertos (piano, violin, viola) too.

Ah yes, I’d forgotten about his concertos. I have a Conifer CD of his viola and violin concertos that I’m fond of. I think I bought it when it was first released. Tasmin Little, Rivka Golani, Tod Handley & the RPO.

[Pulcinella]

Ah yes, I’d forgotten about his concertos. I have a Conifer CD of his viola and violin concertos that I’m fond of. I think I bought it when it was first released. Tasmin Little, Rivka Golani, Tod Handley & the RPO.

That's the one: I prefer that rendering of the Violin concerto to the later Naxos one.

[Beef Oven!]

That's the one: I prefer that rendering of the Violin concerto to the later Naxos one.

I haven’t heard the Naxos one.

[Pulcinella]

I haven’t heard the Naxos one.

IMHO the Farnaby Variations (also on that Naxos CD) are too quick and some of the detail is lost, too.
Not really complaining though, as good for Naxos (especially as the Conifer is nla).

[EdgeleyRob]

The even numbered Symphonies,especially No 4,for me.
I am more impressed with the VC on Naxos than others hereabouts are.
String Quartets ? got to be the Magginis,Nos 3 & 4 are exquisite.