4K UHD version with some new images. This is well-worth spending 8 minutes of your time to listen!
John Foulds
John Herbert Foulds (2 November 1880 - 25 April 1939) was an English composer of classical music. He was largely self-taught as a composer, and belongs to the figures of the English Musical Renaissance - the "English Pastoral School" (see below).
Foulds was an adventurous figure of great innate musicality and superb technical skill. Among his best works are Three Mantras for orchestra and wordless chorus (1919-1930), Essays in the Modes for piano (1920-1927), the piano concerto Dynamic Triptych (1927-1929), and his ninth string quartet Quartetto Intimo (1931-1932).
John France of MusicWeb writes "This work, in its original piano solo form [very challenging], was composed (or at least completed) on 21 March 1926, which happened to be the Vernal Equinox. It was orchestrated in 1932 and received its first performance in this version in 1934. Yet this is not the full story: the orchestral version expands considerably on the original piano piece - especially in the complex and even ‘riotous’ middle section. It is here that we find the composer rejoicing in the beauty and diversity and freshness of spring".
This is another utterly lovely discovery for me. Many of my Subscribers will appreciate this striking work. It's shocking how contemporary it sounds!
The central section is GORGEOUS - indeed, the entire piece is crafted in a manner which showcases Foulds' expertise as musical technician.
One can hear echoes of Vaughan Williams, Sir Michael Tippett, Gerald Finzi and other English composers to come. I'd go so far as to say John Williams and many other film composers too in their use of vivid orchestral colour.
I hope you enjoy it as much as I.
Images
I took these photos in various parts of the Peak District in England, and in London during the State Opening of Parliament, when the Queen's Royal Standard is hoisted on Victoria Tower the moment she enters the Palace of Westminster.
Performance
Conductor: Sir Neville Marriner
Academy of St. Martin in the Fields
A DECCA Recording
28 авг 2024
