I love his music, especially symphonies 3, 4 and the Viola and PC concerto No.2.
He definitely deserves the epithet of 'undeservedly neglected'. I consider his Third Symphony, in particular, to be a major contribution to 20th century symphonic music.
Agree with every word, here. Played both the
Third Symphony and second piano concerto recently, and was stunned again. First class composer, should be far better known.
That Dutton CD featuring Bate's 3rd Symphony and Chisholm's extraordinary 'Pictures from Dante' is probably my all time favourite Dutton CD, along with the ones featuring Richard Arnell's 3rd Symphony and Maximilian Steinberg's Symphony No.4 'Turksib'.
Absolutely, and quite a distinctive voice! So much for the dismissive term "Cheltenham Symphonies". Both of the recorded symphonies are splendid, as in the Piano Concerto. More, please...
:D
Totally agree with your 'Cheltenham Symphonies' comment. Bate's 4th Symphony and the Viola Concerto are also marvellous works, as is the 2nd Piano Concerto. One of the only photos I know of Bate is of him standing, looking perhaps rather uncomfortable, alongside a rather pleased-with-himself looking seated Vaughan Williams and acolytes at Cheltenham, probably at the time of the performance of Bate's 3rd Symphony, which made such a strong impression. There's something about that photo which I don't like but, no doubt, it's my own projections!
PS I've just looked at the photo again (1955 Cheltenham Festival, first performance of Bate's 3rd Symphony) - it's just that nobody seems to be paying any attention to Bate who is, literally and metaphorically, an 'outsider'.
