Chandos’ relentless search for the uncommon continues to yield musical gems, this time from the land down under. For many listeners this release will be a first experience with music by Australian composers, whose work isn’t well known in the West. The works by Hubert Clifford, Edgar Bainton, and John Gough are clearly of British derivation (which should come as no surprise) but occasionally there are touches of local color. Edgar Bainton’s (1880-1956) use of an Australian birdsong in his Symphony No. 2 (1941) is one example. He follows Sibelius’ example by fusing several movements into one. The work begins with a dreamy introduction reminiscent of Debussy, followed by a Korngold-style march. The orchestral writing in many passages is highly evocative of Bax; terrific climaxes are dramatically punctuated by the bass drum. The march theme, which takes on various guises as the symphony progresses, returns to close the work in a calm resolution.
Hubert Clifford (1904-1959) left Australia for England to study with Vaughan Williams, and there he remained to make his career. His Symphony 1940 is primarily a tonal work, though it relies on motivic ideas rather than “tunes”. Syncopated timpani strokes and Waltonian brass chords start the first movement, which leaps into action with a swagger not unlike Richard Strauss’ Don Juan. Hints of Sibelius flavor the development section, its long suspension building to a mighty climax; the scherzo’s trio dances to what sounds like a Latin beat. Wagnerian string shimmerings color the seagoing adagio, and a big, outdoor-type finale, based on a jazzy rhythm makes for an exciting ending. John Gough’s (1903-1951) lovely (but brief) Serenade is a relaxing piece that belongs on everybody’s stress-buster list. Vernon Handley’s masterful conducting brings these scores fully to life, as does the committed playing of the BBC Philharmonic. Chandos provides fabulous sound.
