Havergal Brian: Symphony No. 1 ‘The Gothic’

London Symphony Orchestra; Ole Schmidt
Jane Manning (soprano), Shirley Minty (alto), John Mitchinson (tenor), David Thomas (bass)

London Symphony Chorus, London Philharmonic Choir, BBC Symphony Chorus, BBC Singers, BBC Club Choir, Hampstead Choral Society, Bach Choir, English Chamber Choir, Royal Choral Society, Highgate Choral Society, Goldsmith’s Choral Union, Orpheus Girls’ Choir, Colfe’s School Choir

HTGCD 124 – 5060332663156
2 CDs

Product information:
Heritage marks the 150th anniversary of the birth of Havergal Brian with its latest release.
Brian’s legendary ‘Gothic’ symphony was composed over a period of eight years in 1927. His vision was to encapsulate the splendour of the Gothic age in music of extraordinarily diverse styles, hinting at plainsong chant at one extreme to almost operatic declamation at the other.
A total of some 718 performers including an orchestra of 158 players participated in this performance from the Royal Albert Hall, given in May 1980. Broadcast live by the BBC, Danish conductor Ole Schmidt and his forces generated an epic sweep of sound over a period of an hour and three-quarters.
The broadcast has been sensitively re-mastered for its first CD release and extensive notes are provided by John Pickard.