I have just heard of the death of the distinguished British composer Malcolm Lipkin at the age of 85. At least Lipkin lived long enough to see his three symphonies issued on cd by Lyrita.
Lipkin's death removes another British symphonist. There are few left now. David Ellis (1933-) has three and David Matthews (1943-) has eight to his name. Of a younger generation there is Sir James Macmillan (1959-) with four and John Pickard (1963-) with five.
With the deaths of Jiri Belohlavek and Sir Jeffrey Tate this has not been a good week for classical music :(
Sad news. Remember David Matthews has nine to his name. Don't want to rob him of one. :P
My apologies to David Matthews He has indeed written nine symphonies. Symphony No.9 was apparently written in 2016, is the composer's op.140, lasts for around 25 minutes and is published by Faber (although I cannot find it on Faber's website). The symphony has not yet been performed but is scheduled for a premiere during 2018 by the English Symphony Orchestra under Kenneth Woods.
Matthews's Symphony No.8 is due to be recorded for Chandos by the BBC Phlharmonic Orchestra under Jac van Steen (coupled with "A Vision of the Sea" and "Toward Sunrise") "sometime in 2017".
