Symphony 2
in E minor, 1930-31

Sketched between June and 1 September 1930
FS 2 November 1930 to 6 April 1931

4 flutes (2 also piccolos) 4 oboes (2 also cors anglais), 4 clarinets (2 also bass clarinets), 4 bassoons (1 also contra), 16 horns, 4 trumpets, 4 trombones, 2 tubas, 3 × 3 timpani, cymbals, bass drum, 3 side drums, tam-tam, bell in F, glockenspiel, xylophone, celesta, 2 pianos, organ, 2 harps, strings
[horns:  6 in I and II, 16 in III, 8 in IV;  2 pianos and organ in III and IV only]

 

Head (Hanley)

1973

Head (London)

1973

Mackerras

1979

Rowe CD

1996

Fitz-Gerald

1998

Adagio solenne - allegro assai - attacca   [289 bars] 13:37 12:13 12:11 12:45 11:28
II  Andante sostenuto  [146 bars] 15:15 14:10 11:59 15:18 12:39
III  Allegro assai  - attacca [252 bars] 6:05 5:32 5:28 5:56 5:18
IV  Lento maestoso e mesto  [200 bars]  17:11 16:08 19:20 19:29 15:25
Total:  [887 bars]   52:08 48:03 48:58 53:28 44:50


assigned to Cranz and Co, 1932, but not issued
assigned Schott and Co, 1949, hire only

Musica Viva published a facsimile study score in 1973, limited edition, now out of print
transferred to United Music Publishers, 1985

 

Music excerpts

sound excerpts on Music Boulevard

 

Articles

Götz von Berlichingen and Brian's second symphony - Graham Saxby
A review of the literary inspirations of the music
Introduction - Graham Saxby
Analysis : First movement - Graham Saxby
Analysis : Second movement - Graham Saxby
Analysis : Third movement - Graham Saxby
Analysis : Fourth movement and Conclusion - Graham Saxby
Second quality? - Paul Kettle
An existential view of the work
The influence of Goethe's 'Götz von Berlingen' (1) - Damian Rees
The influence of Goethe's 'Götz von Berlingen' (2) - Damian Rees
The influence of Goethe's 'Götz von Berlingen' (3) - Damian Rees

A view from the back desks - David Hackbridge Johnson
A view from the audience - Roger Moseley

 

Further reading

The symphonies of Havergal Brian - Malcolm MacDonald / volume 1 chapter 4 - see bibliography

 

Performances

19 May 1973 [first performance] . The Dome, Brighton, UK
Kensington Symphony Orchestra, conductor Leslie Head

21 May 1973 . Victoria Hall, Hanley, UK / live broadcast by BBC Radio Stoke
Kensington Symphony Orchestra, conductor Leslie Head
Press reviews

24 May 1973 . St John's Smith Square, London / 27 September 1973 (BBC Radio London broadcast)
Kensington Symphony Orchestra, conductor Leslie Head
Press reviews

9 March 1979 [first professional performance] (recording) / 31 March 1979 (BBC Radio 3 broadcast) . BBC Maida Vale Studios, London
BBC Symphony Orchestra, conductor Sir Charles Mackerras

6 September 1998 [workshop]
The Purely for Pleasure Orchestra, conductor Mark Fitz-Gerald

 

Commercial recording

May 1996 . Mosfilm Studio, Moscow /   Marco Polo
Moscow Symphony Orchestra, conductor Anthony Rowe

Re-released on Naxos 8.570506 in 2007, conducted by 'Tony Rowe'
see also Discography


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