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Rubbra: Symphonies Nos. 2 & 4 / BBC Symphony
SOMM Recordings

Rubbra: Symphonies Nos. 2 & 4 / BBC Symphony

$20.99

Details

Composer
RUBBRA, EDMUND
Artist
Boult, Rubbra
Format
CD
Label
SOMM Recordings
Released
Feb 16, 2018
Catalog #
SOMMCD 0179
UPC
748871017924

About

History is re-claimed with two significant archive recordings, newly restored and re-mastered, by the BBC Symphony Orchestra of a master British symphonist in his early prime on Somm Céleste. The first recorded appearance of Edmund Rubbra conducting the wartime premiere of his own Fourth Symphony (taken from an off-air recording of the live broadcast) is coupled with a live 1954 BBC radio broadcast – considered “quite stupendous” by the composer – of the Second Symphony conducted by the work’s dedicatee, Sir Adrian Boult. The Second Symphony boasts a language that is utterly original, the entirety of its four-movement arc spun out from the long-breathed noble theme at its opening. So enamoured of the Second was Boult he later chose it as one of his Desert Island Discs when he appeared on the iconic BBC Radio 4 programme. Recently conscripted, Rubbra was dressed in full military uniform when he conducted the premiere of his Fourth Symphony during the 1942 Proms season at the Royal Albert Hall. At once epic and intimate, powerful and poetic, it has, claims his one-time pupil Robert Layton “one of the most beautiful openings not just in Rubbra but in all English music” and a stirring finale of triumphant dimensions that has been likened to Bruckner. Rubbra’s own introduction to the symphony – first broadcast by BBC Radio five days before its premiere in This Week at the Proms – offers a revealing glimpse into the heart of a mighty and moving symphony.

Tracklist 8 tracks

  1. 1 I. Lento rubato - 12:53
    Track
    1
    Title
    I. Lento rubato -
    Duration
    12:53
    Composer
    Edmund Rubbra
    Ensemble
    BBC Symphony Orchestra
    Conductor
    Adrian Boult
  2. 2 II. Scherzo: Vivace assai 05:13
    Track
    2
    Title
    II. Scherzo: Vivace assai
    Duration
    05:13
    Composer
    Edmund Rubbra
    Ensemble
    BBC Symphony Orchestra
    Conductor
    Adrian Boult
  3. 3 III. Adagio tranquillo 12:28
    Track
    3
    Title
    III. Adagio tranquillo
    Duration
    12:28
    Composer
    Edmund Rubbra
    Ensemble
    BBC Symphony Orchestra
    Conductor
    Adrian Boult
  4. 4 IV. Rondo: Allegretto amabile - Coda: Presto 06:58
    Track
    4
    Title
    IV. Rondo: Allegretto amabile - Coda: Presto
    Duration
    06:58
    Composer
    Edmund Rubbra
    Ensemble
    BBC Symphony Orchestra
    Conductor
    Adrian Boult
  5. 5 I. Con moto 13:02
    Track
    5
    Title
    I. Con moto
    Duration
    13:02
    Composer
    Edmund Rubbra
    Ensemble
    BBC Symphony Orchestra
    Conductor
    Edmund Rubbra
  6. 6 II. Intermezzo: Allegretto gracioso 03:31
    Track
    6
    Title
    II. Intermezzo: Allegretto gracioso
    Duration
    03:31
    Composer
    Edmund Rubbra
    Ensemble
    BBC Symphony Orchestra
    Conductor
    Edmund Rubbra
  7. 7 III. Introduzione: Grave e molto calmo - Allegro maestoso 11:58
    Track
    7
    Title
    III. Introduzione: Grave e molto calmo - Allegro maestoso
    Duration
    11:58
    Composer
    Edmund Rubbra
    Ensemble
    BBC Symphony Orchestra
    Conductor
    Edmund Rubbra
  8. 8 Edmund Rubbra introduces his 4th Symphony (excerpt) 06:21
    Track
    8
    Title
    Edmund Rubbra introduces his 4th Symphony (excerpt)
    Duration
    06:21
    Composer
    Edmund Rubbra
    Performer
    Edmund Rubbra