Sheffield in South Yorkshire is a city I have never previously visited and was known to me only as the home of the annual World Snooker championship. But on Saturday 10 June, it proved the unlikely venue for an even more unlikely concert devoted entirely to English music with Bax’s Third Symphony the pièce de résistance. I can’t remember when I last attended a live performance of it, though I do remember it was at Bax’s ...
Arnold Bax’s Concerto, later the Phantasy, for viola and orchestra, was written for, and dedicated to, the violist Lionel Tertis. It was premiered by him during a Philharmonic Society concert on 17 November 1921. The Phantasy was played several times in the ensuing years but was then largely forgotten until its revival in 1989 by Vernon Handley and Rivka Golani. This essay will examine the context, provide a non-technical description of the music, and examine the ...
Almost 20 years have passed since the 50th anniversary commemoration of the death of Sir Arnold Bax and the concurrent release of Vernon Handley’s complete set of Bax symphonies on Chandos. That set received enormous amounts of media attention and became the ‘go-to’ set for the Bax symphonies.
If you are reading this, it’s probably fair to say you are experienced in unrequited love. Carrying a torch for a composer bypassed by history is like that, rendered all the more intense by one’s sense of injustice at the neglect.
Superlative liner notes from Graham Parlett, added to full texts and a loving presentation from EM Records, make ‘From the Hills of Dream’ an attractive prospect. But does the music of Bax’s forgotten songs justify such quality treatment? Christopher Webber asks the question ...
Exploring Arnold Bax’s Phantasy for viola and orchestra.
Posted by Bax Adminon Jun 12, 20232
Bax Complete Symphonies
Posted by Bax Adminon Feb 17, 20233
Arnold Bax and the Loneliness of the Long Distance Listener ...
Posted by Bax Adminon Apr 22, 20224
‘From the Hills of Dream’ The forgotten songs of Arnold ...
Posted by Bax Adminon Feb 25, 20225
Welcome to the Sir Arnold Bax Web Site
The purpose of this web site is to provide information on the music of Sir Arnold Bax and to promote those musicians who perform his music. Here you can learn about Bax by reading interviews, essays and articles on his life and music as well as reviews of the latest recordings and concerts featuring his music. Each month this site will be updated to include new editorials, announcements, concert information and reviews. This site also provides an extensive biography and discography that is updated regularly.
Please feel free to contact me if you have questions about the composer or are trying to locate scores for performing purposes. I am also eager to hear from all those who would like to share their enthusiasm for the music of this great composer. Please contact me at rybergadams@hotmail.com.