Orchestral, Brian (composer)
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Rumon Gamba and the BBC Philharmonic do bustle very well, and the Chandos microphones prove particularly good at pinpointing details like a tuba's lugubrious waddle. —
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Havergal Brian: The Gothic Symphony
RecommendedSusan Gritton (soprano), Christine Rice (mezzo), Peter Auty (tenor), Alastair Miles (bass), David Goode (organ)
BBC National Orchestra of Wales, BBC Concert Orchestra, various choirs, Martyn Brabbins
the best [recording] yet. There's an ongoing buzz of Proms atmosphere that grips from start to finish; and the recorded sound succeeds phenomenally at somehow fitting Brian's hugest climaxes... —
Awards:
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Presto Recording of the Week, 28th November 2011
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Gramophone Magazine, February 2012, Editor's Choice
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Havergal Brian: Symphony No. 1 'The Gothic'
Jane Manning, Shirley Minty, John Mitchinson, David Thomas,
London Symphony Orchestra, various choirs, Ole Schmidt
Ole Schmidt successfully drives the 718 performers through its demanding and immersive score, but at times, particularly in the Te Deum, vocal performances sacrifice clarity for drama —
Awards:
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Gramophone Magazine, February 2026, Reissue/Archive Issue of the Month
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Special offer. Brian & Cooke - Symphonies
London Philharmonic Orchestra, Myer Fredman, Nicholas Braithwaite
Havergal Brian's Sixth and Sixteenth Symphonies were recorded in April 1973. The Sixth (1948), incorporating material from an abandoned opera on Synge's Deirdre of the Sorrows, is highly illustrative... —
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Special offer. Brian: Symphonies Nos. 6, 28, 29 & 31
New Russia State Symphony Orchestra, Alexander Walker
My expectations of high performance quality were fully met by these gripping accounts. Walker achieves extraordinarily intense playing that illuminates this music to its best advantage. —
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Brian: Agamemnon & Symphonies Nos 6 & 12
RecommendedJohn Findon (Agamemnon), Eleanor Dennis (Clytemnestra), Stephanie Wake-Edwards (Cassandra), Robert Murray (Watchman), Clive Bayley (Herald/Old Man)
English National Opera Orchestra, Martyn Brabbins
If anyone can convince us of the worth of this one-act drama of Aeschylus’s tragedy of Agamemnon’s last bloody bath it's Martyn Brabbins, a doughty champion of Brian’s music...All credit to... —
Awards:
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Presto Recordings of the Year, Finalist 2025
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Special offer. Brian: Symphony No. 3 in C sharp minor
Andrew Ball (piano), Julian Jacobson (piano)
Bbc Symphony Orchestra, Lionel Friend
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Special offer. Havergal Brian: Symphonies Nos. 29, 30, 31 & 32
BBC Symphony Orchestra, Myer Fredman, Charles Mackerras, Lionel Friend
Philharmonia Orchestra
The single-movement No. 31 is a delightfully conversational free fantasy in the hands of Charles Mackerras, while No. 32 is no symphonic farewell, still full of energy and invention. —
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Special offer. Havergal Brian: Symphonies Nos. 4 & 12
Jana Valásková (soprano)
The Soloists and Choirs of the Slovak Radio Symphony Orchestra & Slovak Radio Symphony Orchestra, Adrian Leaper
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Havergal Brian: Symphonies Nos. 2 & 14
Mark Hindley (organ), Lynda Cochrane (piano 1), Judith Keaney (piano 2)
Royal Scottish National Orchestra, Martyn Brabbins
