Full score written between early December 1964 and 8 January 1965

3 flutes (1 also piccolo), 2 oboes, cor anglais, 2 clarinets, bass clarinet, 3 bassoons (1 also contra), 4 horns , 3 trumpets, 3 trombones, tuba, 2 sets timpani, bass drum, 3 side drums, cymbals, susp cymbal, tambourine, triangle, celesta, xylophone, glockenspiel, harp, strngs (16.14.12.10.8)

I  Maestoso e ritmico,  F minor/D minor [97 bars]  4:35 [a]  4:40 [b]  5:54 [c]
II  Tempo di marcia e ritmico - Adagio  A minor/F minor [99 bars]   4:45 [a]  4:23 [b]  5:12 [c]
(9´)

[a] Fredman (9:20)   [b] Heltay/CBS (9:03)   [c] Groves (11:06)

Musica Viva published a facsimile study score in 1977, now out of print
transferred to United Music Publishers Limited, 1985

Article

Symphonia brevis at the Royal Festival Hall - Malcolm MacDonald
Review of the Groves 1983 performance, general performance issues and comparisons with Schoenberg

Reading

The symphonies of Havergal Brian - Malcolm MacDonald / volume 2 chapter 18 - see bibliography

Performances

28 March 1971 [first performance] (recording at St John's Smith Square) / 15 August 1971 (BBC Radio 3 broadcast)
16 December 1972 (second broadcast)
Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, conductor Myer Fredman 

10 April 1974 . Hove Town Hall (rec) / 30 August 1974 (broadcast by BBC Radio 3)
Leicestershire Schools Symphony Orchestra, conductor Laszlo Heltay

Also broadcast in Brisbane and Sydney area (performance unknown)  12 Feb 77

26 October 1983 [first public performance] . Royal Festival Hall
Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, conductor Sir Charles Groves
Symphonia brevis at the Royal Festival Hall - Malcolm MacDonald

Commercial recording

10 April 1974 . Hove Town Hall / CBS
Leicestershire Schools Symphony Orchestra, conductor Laszlo Heltay 

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