Bax: The Symphonies No. 1-7 BBC Philharmonic - Vernon Handley

• Arnold Bax (1883 - 1953): First Symphony:
• 1 Bax: First Symphony: I. Allegro moderato e feroce - Moderato espressivo 13:02
• 2 Bax: First Symphony: II. Lento solenne 10:39
• 3 Bax: First Symphony: III. Allegro maestoso - Allegro vivace ma non troppo presto 08:26
• Third Symphony:
• 4 Bax: Third Symphony: I. Lento moderato - Allegro moderato 16:47
• 5 Bax: Third Symphony: II. Lento 11:17
• 6 Bax: Third Symphony: III. Moderato - Più mosso 13:48
• Second Symphony:
• 7 Bax: Second Symphony: I. Molto moderato - Allegro moderato 16:25
• 8 Bax: Second Symphony: II. Andante - Più mosso - Poco largamente 12:15
• 9 Bax: Second Symphony: III. Poco largamente - Allegro feroce - Meno mosso 10:23
• Fourth Symphony:
• 10 Bax: Fourth Symphony: I. Allegro moderato 15:40
• 11 Bax: Fourth Symphony: II. Lento moderato - Più mosso 12:48
• 12 Bax: Fourth Symphony: III. Allegro - Allegro scherzando 09:51
• Fifth Symphony:
• 13 Bax: Fifth Symphony: I. Poco lento - Allegro con fuoco 15:49
• 14 Bax: Fifth Symphony: II. Poco lento - Molto tranquillo 10:16
• 15 Bax: Fifth Symphony: III. Poco moderato - Allegro - Lento 11:59
• Sixth Symphony:
• 16 Bax: Sixth Symphony: I. Moderato - Allegro con fuoco 10:11
• 17 Bax: Sixth Symphony: II. Lento, molto espressivo - Andante con moto 08:25
• 18 Bax: Sixth Symphony: III. Introduction. Lento moderato - Poco più vivo 16:57
• Arnold Bax:
• 19 Bax: Rogue's Comedy Overture 10:08
• 20 Bax: Tintagel 15:22
• Seventh Symphony:
• 21 Bax: Seventh Symphony: I. Allegro - Poco meno mosso 16:47
• 22 Bax: Seventh Symphony: II. Lento - Più mosso. In Legendary Mood 13:37
• 23 Bax: Seventh Symphony: III. Theme and Variations. Allegro 13:40
• Interview with Vernon Handley by Andrew McGregor:
• 24 Bax: Interview with Vernon Handley by Andrew McGregor: Introduction 07:54
• 25 Bax: Interview with Vernon Handley by Andrew McGregor: Bax and Vaughan Williams 01:32
• 26 Bax: Interview with Vernon Handley by Andrew McGregor: Bax and His Musical Influences 01:34
• 27 Bax: Interview with Vernon Handley by Andrew McGregor: First Symphony 06:21
• 28 Bax: Interview with Vernon Handley by Andrew McGregor: Second Symphony and Third Symphony 15:36
• 29 Bax: Interview with Vernon Handley by Andrew McGregor: Fourth Symphony 05:06
• 30 Bax: Interview with Vernon Handley by Andrew McGregor: Fifth Symphony 03:08
• 31 Bax: Interview with Vernon Handley by Andrew McGregor: Sixth Symphony 07:57
• 32 Bax: Interview with Vernon Handley by Andrew McGregor: Seventh Symphony 05:37
• 33 Bax: Interview with Vernon Handley by Andrew McGregor: Epilogue 05:56
• Total Runtime 05:55:13

Info for Bax: The Symphonies No. 1-7

This five album set includes all seven symphonies by Arnold Bax (1883-1953), the familiar tone poem Tintagel, and the Rogue's Comedy Overture in its premier recording. It also features Vernon Handley in two interviews--one with Lewis Foreman in the booklet, one with Andrew McGregor on the final disc. However, it's probably advisable to listen to it first, since Handley, one of Bax's most dedicated champions, has many illuminating things to say. Bax called himself "a brazen romantic....my music is the expression of emotional states." The symphonies, written between 1921 and 1939, certainly reflect both inner and outer events: the Irish Uprising, which deeply affected Bax, who loved Ireland and lost many friends to the "troubles," World War I and the looming threat of World War II. Perhaps the most striking and pervasive characteristic of the music is contrast. All the symphonies have three movements divided into many sections with different tempo indications, signaling changing mood and character. Indeed, moods change constantly, often abruptly and violently; dynamics surge and swell, climaxes build with increasingly ferocious power. The orchestration is masterful, creating color, texture, atmosphere and expression; at full throttle, the sound shakes the rafters. The music is predominantly serious, somber, dark, with outbursts of passion, turbulence, bitterness and anger, relieved by unexpectedly rambunctious and martial sections. Every symphony opens on low instruments, setting a dark, ominous mood, but several end with a triumphant flourish, while others fade away with an Epilogue in serenity or resignation. No. 7 is regarded as Bax's compositional farewell, No. 4 as "cheerful and blustery." The form is sometimes cyclical, with opening material returning in another guise, which, for the naked ear, is difficult to discern. Most memorable are the truly beautiful, luxuriously lyrical melodies that abound especially in the slow movements. The playing is first-rate throughout. (Edith Eisler)

"Handley is in total sympathy with Bax's music and his direction is authoritative as well as idiomatic. Superb sound from the Chandos and BBC engineers. We would not be without this set." (Penguin Guide)

"This Bax symphony cycle comes under the baton of the composer's doughtiest champion, and superlatives are in order. Even seasoned Baxians will be startled by the propulsive vigour and sinewy..." (Gramophone Classical Music Guide)

BBC Philharmonic
Vernon Handley, conductor

Vernon George 'Tod' Handley CBE (11 November 1930 – 10 September 2008) was a British conductor, known in particular for his support of British composers. He was born of a Welsh father and an Irish mother into a musical family in Enfield, London. He acquired the nickname 'Tod' because his feet were turned in at his birth, which his father simply summarised: 'They toddle'. Handley preferred the use of the name 'Tod' throughout his life over his given names.

This album contains no booklet.