Wordsworth, William

[grewtw]

William Wordsworth was born in London in 1908.

Moving from Surrey to the Scottish Highlands in 1961, he helped to form the Scottish Society of Composers.

Sadly, he has now become one of the ever increasing number of Britain's lost and forgotten composers.

Although his music was predominantly diatonic he did not eschew atonal procedures when it suited his purpose, for instance in the opening movement of his Symphony no. 2; and he used tape effectively in his tightly written Symphony no. 7. His use of fragmented themes and of unpredictable rhythmic contrasts, which build to form logical and distinctively original statements, was evident in his other symphonies and large-scale works.

He intended to leave us eight symphonies altogether, most of which could, six years ago, already be heard on you-tube. These have now all been lost:

First symphony, in F Minor, opus 23, (1944)

Second symphony, in D Major, opus 34, (1948)

Third symphony, in C Major, opus 48, (1951)

Fourth symphony, in E Flat Major, opus 54, (1953)

Fifth symphony, in A Minor, opus 68, (1960)

Sixth symphony, "Elegica", with singers, opus 102, (1977)

Seventh symphony, "Cosmos", opus 107, (1980)

Eighth symphony, "Pax hominibus", opus 117, (1985)

As well as the eight lost symphonies there were six string quartets, now similarly lost:

no. 1, op.16, 1941
no. 2, op.20, 1944
no. 3, op.30, 1947
no. 4, op.47, 1950
no. 5, op.63, 1957
no. 6, op.75, 1964

All these grand symphonies and quartets, now lost to us, have been replaced simply by the sad and insulting message:

"Video unavailable
This video is no longer available because the YouTube account associated with this video has been closed."

So much for poor Mr. Wordsworth.

[cloughie]

William Wordsworth was born in London in 1908.

Moving from Surrey to the Scottish Highlands in 1961, he helped to form the Scottish Society of Composers.

Sadly, he has now become one of the ever increasing number of Britain's lost and forgotten composers.

Although his music was predominantly diatonic he did not eschew atonal procedures when it suited his purpose, for instance in the opening movement of his Symphony no. 2; and he used tape effectively in his tightly written Symphony no. 7. His use of fragmented themes and of unpredictable rhythmic contrasts, which build to form logical and distinctively original statements, was evident in his other symphonies and large-scale works.

He intended to leave us eight symphonies altogether, most of which could, six years ago, already be heard on you-tube. These have now all been lost:

First symphony, in F Minor, opus 23, (1944)

Second symphony, in D Major, opus 34, (1948)

Third symphony, in C Major, opus 48, (1951)

Fourth symphony, in E Flat Major, opus 54, (1953)

Fifth symphony, in A Minor, opus 68, (1960)

Sixth symphony, "Elegica", with singers, opus 102, (1977)

Seventh symphony, "Cosmos", opus 107, (1980)

Eighth symphony, "Pax hominibus", opus 117, (1985)

As well as the eight lost symphonies there were six string quartets, now similarly lost:

no. 1, op.16, 1941
no. 2, op.20, 1944
no. 3, op.30, 1947
no. 4, op.47, 1950
no. 5, op.63, 1957
no. 6, op.75, 1964

All these grand symphonies and quartets, now lost to us, have been replaced simply by the sad and insulting message:

"Video unavailable
This video is no longer available because the YouTube account associated with this video has been closed."

So much for poor Mr. Wordsworth.

Looks like this WW wandered with many a tune in his head!

[french frank]

All these grand symphonies and quartets, now lost to us, have been replaced simply by the sad and insulting message:

"Video unavailable
This video is no longer available because the YouTube account associated with this video has been closed."

So much for poor Mr. Wordsworth.

Search: Youtube "William Wordsworth" Symphony , and quite a lot of them turn up.

[Jonathan]

Or have a look at Toccata Classics website for several recordings.

[Serial_Apologist]

Pleasant enough music, rather in the vein of Rubbra, if memory serves me correctly. And a distant cousin, my father mysteriously told me, explaining without further spoiler that William was a descendant of the famous poet, related on my paternal great great grandparents' side, though I have never bothered with investigating this, out of suspicion it might well be a family myth.

[cloughie]

Pleasant enough music, rather in the vein of Rubbra, if memory serves me correctly. And a distant cousin, my father mysteriously told me, explaining without further spoiler that William was a descendant of the famous poet, related on my paternal great great grandparents' side, though I have never bothered with investigating this, out of suspicion it might well be a family myth.

It’s a shame you’re not famous enough to be the subject of ‘Who do you think you are’ S_A!

[ahinton]

William Wordsworth was born in London in 1908.

Moving from Surrey to the Scottish Highlands in 1961, he helped to form the Scottish Society of Composers.

Sadly, he has now become one of the ever increasing number of Britain's lost and forgotten composers.

Although his music was predominantly diatonic he did not eschew atonal procedures when it suited his purpose, for instance in the opening movement of his Symphony no. 2; and he used tape effectively in his tightly written Symphony no. 7. His use of fragmented themes and of unpredictable rhythmic contrasts, which build to form logical and distinctively original statements, was evident in his other symphonies and large-scale works.

He intended to leave us eight symphonies altogether, most of which could, six years ago, already be heard on you-tube. These have now all been lost:

First symphony, in F Minor, opus 23, (1944)

Second symphony, in D Major, opus 34, (1948)

Third symphony, in C Major, opus 48, (1951)

Fourth symphony, in E Flat Major, opus 54, (1953)

Fifth symphony, in A Minor, opus 68, (1960)

Sixth symphony, "Elegica", with singers, opus 102, (1977)

Seventh symphony, "Cosmos", opus 107, (1980)

Eighth symphony, "Pax hominibus", opus 117, (1985)

As well as the eight lost symphonies there were six string quartets, now similarly lost:

no. 1, op.16, 1941
no. 2, op.20, 1944
no. 3, op.30, 1947
no. 4, op.47, 1950
no. 5, op.63, 1957
no. 6, op.75, 1964

All these grand symphonies and quartets, now lost to us, have been replaced simply by the sad and insulting message:

"Video unavailable
This video is no longer available because the YouTube account associated with this video has been closed."

So much for poor Mr. Wordsworth.

That files have been taken down from YouTube is hardly an indicator that the works concerned have been "lost" - and other forum members above have given pointers as to where to find them. Several are up on YouTube anyway; go find!

[Edgy 2]

Or have a look at Toccata Classics website for several recordings.

Also Symphonies 1 & 5 taken from BBC broadcasts on Lyrita
Even more off the radar his Piano Sonata and other pieces played by Margaret Kitchin, also Lyrita c/w Tippet and Hamilton

[LeMartinPecheur]

Also Symphonies 1 & 5 taken from BBC broadcasts on Lyrita
Even more off the radar his Piano Sonata and other pieces played by Margaret Kitchin, also Lyrita c/w Tippet and Hamilton

Also symhonies 2 and 3 on Lyrita, LPO/ Braithwaite rec.1990. No sign of BBC that I can see.
Seems Lyrita have a bit of a Wordsworth thing?

[HighlandDougie]

This article from Music Web is an affectionate and informative tribute:

http://www.musicweb-international.com/classrev/2009/Jan09/Wordsworth_Conway.htm

[Serial_Apologist]

There are a number of Wordsworth works to be found on youtube, including this one of the one-movement Fourth Symphony. This grimly hard-won music of integrity in search of that elusive certainty typifies an austerity found in a lot of British music in the austere 1950s, even when it marshalls its energies: gloomy panelled rooms illuminated by a single 20 watt bulb, ecclesiastically mullioned windows, heavy stock furniture; you get this in much of Rubbra and Rawsthorne too - dull greens and browns, the odd splash of crimson, the only colour schemes available in a rationed Britain - and that's just for the external décor!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iRY8vY8vYkxjnE

[french frank]

There are a number of Wordsworth works to be found on youtube, including this one of the one-movement Fourth Symphony. This grimly hard-won music of integrity in search of that elusive certainty typifies an austerity found in a lot of British music in the austere 1950s, even when it marshalls its energies: gloomy panelled rooms illuminated by a single 20 watt bulb, ecclesiastically mullioned windows, heavy stock furniture; you get this in much of Rubbra and Rawsthorne too - dull greens and browns, the odd splash of crimson, the only colour schemes available in a rationed Britain - and that's just for the external décor!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iRY8vY8vYkxjnE

I'm getting a "This video isn't available any more" message :-(

[Serial_Apologist]

I'm getting a "This video isn't available any more" message :-(

My apologies - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iRY8vYkxjnE

[french frank]

My apologies - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iRY8vYkxjnE

Thanks.

[Edgy 2]

Also symhonies 2 and 3 on Lyrita, LPO/ Braithwaite rec.1990. No sign of BBC that I can see.
Seems Lyrita have a bit of a Wordsworth thing?

No

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