Symphony 8

In B flat minor, 1 movement, 1949†, 23:00

Sketched between 25 January 1949 and 27 March 1949; revised sketch 11 April 1949
FS completed 17 May 1949

3 flutes (1 also picc), 2 oboes, cor anglais, 2 clarinets, bass clarinet, 3 bassoons (1 also contra), 4 horns, 3 trumpets, 3 trombones, tuba, euphonium, bass drum, 3 side drums, triangle, tambourine, cymbals, castanets, tam-tam, xylophone, glockenspiel, organ ad lib*, harp, piano, strings
*organ added 1971

United Music Publishing Limited
(Musica Viva published a facsimile study score in 1973, now out of print)

Timings

Schwarz 1958Fredman 1971Groves 1977RLPO - Groves 1977Walker 2016
Total22:4222:1724:3524:5123:27

Performances

1 February 1954 [first performance] BBC Maida Vale Studios, London
live broadcast first broadcast by BBC of a Brian symphony
London Philharmonic Orchestra, conductor Sir Adrian Boult
2 February 1954 BBC Maida Vale Studios, London
live broadcast BBC
London Philharmonic Orchestra, conductor Sir Adrian Boult
20 December 1958 studio
live broadcast Third Programme [BBC Radio 3]
BBC Symphony Orchestra, conductor Rudolf Schwarz
27 June 1971 studio recording
BBC
Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, conductor Myer Fredman
25–26 July 1977 Abbey Road, London
Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra, conductor Sir Charles Groves
• Thoughts on ASD3486 – Ted Heaton
25 July 1977 [World premiere recording] Abbey Road Studio 1, London
Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra, conductor Sir Charles Groves
8 September 2016 Studio 5, Russian State TV & Radio Company KULTURA, Moscow
New Russia State Symphony Orchestra, Alexander Walker

Recordings

Aries LP 1603
27 June 1971 studio recording
Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, conductor Myer Fredman
EMI Classics 7243 5 75782 2 6 (2 discs) released November 2002
25–26 July 1977 Abbey Road, London
Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra, conductor Sir Charles Groves
Warner Classics 0825646147243 (24 discs) released 2015
25 July 1977 [World premiere recording] Abbey Road Studio 1, London
Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra, conductor Sir Charles Groves
Naxos 8.573752 released October 2017
8 September 2016 Studio 5, Russian State TV & Radio Company KULTURA, Moscow
New Russia State Symphony Orchestra, Alexander Walker