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Daniel Jones Symphony no 2

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« on: August 01, 2017, 02:42:35 pm »

Another noteworthy release via Recordsinternational.com  is the Daniel Jones release:

DANIEL JONES (1912-1993): Symphony No. 2, Symphony No. 11.


Catalogue Number: 08T001

Label: Lyrita

Reference: SRCD.364

Format: CD

Price: $18.98


     


Description: As we observed when we eagerly announced the first volume in this welcome and long overdue series (01S001), Jones' splendid cycle of 13 symphonies may well be considered among the finest such opus from 20th century Britain. The Second is similarly grandly proportioned to the First, also in traditional four-movement form, tonal, expertly employing a very large orchestra and amply fulfilling the composer's view that a symphony should be "a dramatic structure with an emotive intention". This was the first large-scale work in which he fully explored his concept of restless, irregular compound meters which lend the music a sense of rhythmic drive while retaining the formal symmetry which was important to him. The first movement, in sonata form, is aggressive and discursive; Jones' symphonies are serious works, generally avoiding the lightweight, pastoral or impressionistic. Even the lyrical second subject is tense and uneasy. The slow movement starts gently enough, but soon plays itself into a brooding landscape with the granitic ruggedness of Havergal Brian at his sternest, and something of the gloom of Sibelius' darkling crepuscular forests. The scherzo is energetic, with grinding dissonances at its climaxes and biting bitonality; the trio is the first reposeful music in the symphony. The finale is boisterous and playful, though on a muscular scale, with episodes of broad good humor and a tumultuous conclusion that revisits material from the first movement. In his later symphonies, Jones sought increasing economy and brevity, while maintaining the same basic idiom and above all, expressive force, of his earlier essays in the form. The Eleventh is less than half the length of the Second, less complex and clearer of texture and harmony; however its four movements - intensivo, capriccioso, elegiaco and risoluto - chart a similar dramatic arc. BBC Welsh Symphony Orchestra; Bryden Thomson.
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« Reply #1 on: August 12, 2017, 05:05:12 pm »

You have already provided Lyrita's own description of the two symphonies on this excellent addition to the company's survey of all the composer's symphonies- so long overdue.

All I can add is that the cd is certainly worth buying The sound quality is superb; the performances come from the broadcasts of the (then) complete cycle of 12 made in 1990 by the (then) BBC Welsh Symphony Orchestra under the indefatigable, underrated and much missed Bryden Thomson. I cannot really imagine them being done better! The Second Symphony is perhaps a trifle overlong and discursive but the concise and taut Symphony No.11 impresses (as do all the later symphonies) although perhaps without quite the power of No.10.

Only Nos. 3, 5, 12 and 13 remain to be added by Lyrita. With complete cycles of the symphonies of both Daniel Jones and Peter Racine Fricker on disc over the next few months lovers of this kind of British music will indeed have cause for massive celebration!! If Lyrita can add those of Iain Hamilton and Alun Hoddinott and another two or three of those by William Wordsworth, Arthur Butterworth's 3rd then the dreams of those who had long despaired of having these symphonies on commercial cd will have (amazingly) been finally fulfilled.The long wait will be over
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