The Complete Delius Songbook Volume 1

Frederick Delius (1862-1934)Seven Songs from the Norwegian RT V/9 (1889-1890) Four Old English Lyrics RT V/30 (c.1915) Eleven Early Norwegian Songs: ‘Over the mountain high’ RT V/2 (undated, Pub.1974) & ‘Mountain life’ RT V/6 (1888) ‘They are not long, the weeping and the laughter’ RT II/5 (1906) Two Songs for Children- ‘Little birdie’ RT V/29 (1913) Songs to Words by Various Poets – ‘The Nightingale has a lyre of gold’ RT V/25 (1910) & ‘I-Brasil’...

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Frank Tapp Overture: Metropolis

I recently posted about Frank Tapp’s second prize-winning work in the Daily Telegraph ‘overture writing competition.’ I found the programme notes that were included in the BBC Promenade Concert where the work was given its first performance. The work is not available on CD (or record) but one lives in hope. Certainly it ‘sounds’ as it may be an interesting work, bearing in mind that contemporary critical commentary suggested that Tapp’s music tended...

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Charles Shadwell: Lulworth Cove

I imagine that few people will have visited Swanage or Corfe Castle in the Isle of Purbeck for a holiday and not made their way to Lulworth Cove. It is one of the most beautiful parts of the Dorset coast and justly deserves its status as a World Heritage Site. Charles Shadwell wrote a fine tone poem musically depicting the mood of this beauty spot. However the problem with Lulworth Cove is that it is way too short. The composer has generated a surplus...

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Frank Tapp: Symphony No. 1 in E ‘The Tempest’

It is always hard luck when one comes across a review of a work that one has not heard and probably has little chance of hearing. However, it is worth while posting this review from The Times newspaper for Frank Tapp’s Symphony No.1 in E ‘The Tempest’. The work was completed in 1913 and was duly given its first performance at a Bath Pump Room Concerts with the Pump Room Orchestra conducted by the composer. It is a work that one has to hoe will reappear at some stage, although I know that it was not published, so it is really serendipity as to...

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Ignaz Moscheles:Fantasia Recollections of Ireland, Op.69

Ignaz Moscheles is not British, but he did compose a delicious piece entitled Fantasia Recollections of Ireland, Op.69. I just love every note of this short four movement ‘concerto-ette.’ It is full of fun and poignancy, excitement and reflection. Never for a moment does the technical prowess of the soloist have cause to relax.The work was allegedly written shortly after the composer's visit to Dublin in January 1826. His diary has preserved his...

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Frank Tapp: A Forgotten British Composer

I recently came across the composer & conductor Frank Tapp whilst reviewing the The Pump Room Orchestra Bath: Three Centuries of Music and Social History by Robert Hyman and Nicola Hyman. I noted there that I would welcome any more information about this gentleman. Rob Barnett has written a brief resume of the composer and, with his permission I publish it here. With thanks to MusicWeb International. Frank H. (or W.) Tapp was born in Bath in 1883. He is now an almost totally forgotten figure in British music though his work was frequently played...

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William Mathias: Violin Sonata (1952)

This early Violin Sonata is a real treasure. To be sure, it is to a certain extent a ‘retro’ work with the composer writing in a highly charged romantic style that would have been largely anathema in the early ’fifties. Geraint Lewis suggest that this piece, written when the composer was eighteen years old. ‘represents a culmination of what he [Mathias] always referred to as his ‘juvenile’ phase.’ The work was first performed on 16 May 1953 with...

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Daily Telegraph Orchestral Overture Competition: 1934

Daily Telegraph Orchestral Overture Competition: 1934 In 1934 the Daily Telegraph ran an Orchestral Competition. I guess one can hardly imagine a newspaper, no matter how ‘broad the sheet’ indulging in such an elitist scheme nowadays. However, on April 21st 1934 the results were announced. The first prize (£100) went to Cyril Scott for his Festival Overture, the second (£75) to Frank Tapp for his overture Metropolis and the third (£50) to Arnold Cooke for a ‘Concert Overture.’ It had certainly been a prestigious competition: the judges included...

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Roger Quilter: Complete Piano Music

Roger QUILTER (1877-1953)Three Studies Op.4 (1901/1909) Three Pieces Op.16: Dance in the Twilight; Summer Evening; At a Country Fair (1909/1915) Two Impressions Op.19: In a Gondola; Lanterns (1914/1919) Four Country Pieces Op.27: Shepherd Song; Goblins; Forest Lullaby; Pipe & Tabor (1923) Suite from Where the Rainbow Ends: Rosamund & Will-o’ the Wisp; Goblin Forest; Moonlight on the Lake; Fairy Revels (1911/1912)David Owen Norris (piano)EM...

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The Pump Room Orchestra Bath: Three Centuries of Music and Social History

The Pump Room Orchestra Bath: Three Centuries of Music and Social History by Robert Hyman and Nicola HymanThe Hobnob Press, soft covers, 214 pagesISBN 978-0-946418-74-9£14:99On Monday 17 April 1939, The Time magazine reported that Bath’s Pump Room Orchestra was to be disbanded. The reason given was ‘that for its size, Bath's orchestra had set a new record in box-office flops. This year's expected deficit: $25,000 (then about £6000)’. At that time...

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Britten in Scotland: The Complete Scottish Songs

Benjamin BRITTEN (1913-1976)Britten in Scotland: The Complete Scottish SongsA Birthday Hansel, Op.92 (1975) Who are these children? (1969) Cradle Song (Sleep, my darling, sleep) (1942) O that I’d ne’er married (1922) Ca’ the Yowes (1959) There’s none to soothe (1946) O can ye sew cushions (1942) The Bonny Earl o’ Murray (1942) Bonny at Morn (1976) Come you not from Newcastle? 1946) Dawtie’s Devotion (1969) The Gully (1969) Tradition (1969) Four Burns...

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Philip Lane: Prestbury Park for orchestra

Prestbury Park is a heady mix of horses, music and countryside. This delightful piece originated as a brass band work some 35 years ago. It paints a musical portrait of Cheltenham Racecourse on any typical race day, although the mood does tend to suggest a summer’s day and picnics. John Quinn on MusicWeb International has suggested that anyone who has 'braved the crowds there, particularly on Gold Cup day will recognise the hustle and bustle of large numbers of people out for a good time.’ Like much so-called light music this work could be used...

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