Symphony 2

In E minor, 4 movements, 1930-31†, 48:00

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]

I Adagio solenne – allegro assai – attacca [289 bars]
II Andante sostenuto [146 bars]
III Allegro assai – attacca [252 bars]
IV Lento maestoso e mesto [200 bars]

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 in 1985 and then United Music Publishing in 2014

Timings

Head (Hanley) 1973Head (London) 1973Mackerras 1979Rowe 1996Fitz-Gerald 1998
I Adagio solenne – allegro assai – attacca13:3712:1312:1112:4511:28
II Andante sostenuto15:1514:1011:5915:1812:39
III Allegro assai – attacca6:055:325:285:565:18
IV Lento maestoso e mesto17:1116:0819:2019:2915:25
Total52:0848:0348:5853:2844:50

Articles

• Götz von Berlichingen and Brian’s second symphony – Graham Saxby
• Symphony 2 Analysis (1) – Graham Saxby
• Symphony 2 Analysis (2) – Graham Saxby
• Symphony 2 Analysis (3) – Graham Saxby
• Symphony 2 Analysis (4) – Graham Saxby
• Symphony 2 Analysis (5) – Graham Saxby
• 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
• Second quality? – Paul Kettle

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 BBC Radio Stoke
Kensington Symphony Orchestra, conductor Leslie Head
• Reviews of the 1973 Kensington SO/Leslie Head performances – John Falding, Max Loppert
24 May 1973 St John’s Smith Square, London
27 September 1973 BBC Radio London
Kensington Symphony Orchestra, conductor Leslie Head
• Reviews of the 1973 Kensington SO/Leslie Head performances – John Falding, Max Loppert
9 March 1979 [first professional performance] BBC Maida Vale Studios, London
31 March 1979 BBC Radio 3
BBC Symphony Orchestra, conductor Sir Charles Mackerras
May 1996 Mosfilm Studio, Moscow
Moscow Symphony Orchestra, conductor Anthony Rowe
6 September 1998 Reading
The Purely for Pleasure Orchestra, conductor Mark Fitz-Gerald
• Symphony 2 – David Hackbridge Johnson
• Symphony 2 – Roger Moseley
5–6 September 2015 Glasgow Royal Concert Hall
Lynda Cochrane & Judith Keaney, pianos; Mark Hindley, organ; Royal Scottish National Orchestra, conductor Martyn Brabbins

Recordings

Aries LP 1631
9 March 1979 [first professional performance] BBC Maida Vale Studios, London
BBC Symphony Orchestra, conductor Sir Charles Mackerras
Naxos 8.570506 released July 2007
May 1996 Mosfilm Studio, Moscow
Moscow Symphony Orchestra, conductor Anthony Rowe
• The Marco Polo cycle – David J Brown
Dutton Vocalion CDLX 7330 released July 2016
5–6 September 2015 Glasgow Royal Concert Hall
Lynda Cochrane & Judith Keaney, pianos; Mark Hindley, organ; Royal Scottish National Orchestra, conductor Martyn Brabbins