Bax: Symphony No. 1 / In the Faery Hills / Garden of Fand

Featuring

David Lloyd-Jones
Royal Scottish National Orchestra
Sir Arnold Bax

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Performer Biography

David Lloyd-Jones, the conductor, founded Opera North in 1978 at the invitation of the Arts Council of Great Britain, serving as its Artistic Director for twelve seasons.

Composer Biography

Bax, the composer, died in Ireland, the place he loved best, while staying with his friend, the German-born Irish composer Aloys Fleischman.

Performer Biography

The Royal Scottish National Orchestra, formed in 1891, received its 'Royal' title as a recognition of its importance in Scotland's musical life.

Historical Context

Bax's Symphony No. 1 can be heard as a reaction to the tragedy of World War I and the frustrated idealism of the Easter Rising of 1916 in Ireland, where many of his friends were involved.

Composition History

Bax completed his Symphony No. 1 in 1921 in piano score, finishing the orchestration by the following year.

Compositional Technique

Bax's Symphony No. 1 calls for a large orchestra, including less common instruments like a heckelphone or bass oboe, an E flat clarinet, and a double-bass sarrusaphone or double bassoon.