Gordon Jacob's music, along with that of his generation, fell into disrepute after the BBC began promoting avant-garde music in 1959, but is now being rediscovered.
Composer Biography
Gordon Jacob, the composer, was taken prisoner during World War I and used his captivity to study harmony and compose for a camp band.
Composer's Artistic Vision
Gordon Jacob's music was influenced by French and Russian composers like Poulenc and Stravinsky, as well as the English composer Elgar, due to a prejudice against German music after WWI.
Composer's Artistic Vision
Gordon Jacob described his Symphony No. 2 as a 'meditation on war suffering and victory', reflecting its gestation during 1944-1945.
Composition History
Gordon Jacob's Symphony No. 1 was dedicated to the memory of his brother Anstey, who was killed on the Somme in 1916.
Composition History
Gordon Jacob's Symphony No. 2 was dedicated to the Worshipful Company of Musicians in gratitude for a John Collard Fellowship awarded to him in 1943.
Composer Biography
Gordon Jacob studied at the Royal College of Music with Vaughan Williams and Stanford, and later joined its teaching staff, remaining until 1966.
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Elgar: Symphony No. 2, Op. 63
Vaughan Williams: Symphonies Nos 4 & 5
Vaughan Williams: Symphonies Nos. 2 "A London Symphony" & 8
Elgar: Symphony No. 1 in A-Flat Major, Op. 55
Elgar: Symphony No. 3 (Sketches elaborated by Anthony Payne)
Arnold: Symphonies Nos. 3 and 4
Vaughan Williams: Symphonies Nos. 5 & 8
Alwyn: Symphonies Nos. 1 and 3
Vaughan Williams Symphony No.5 / Symphony No.6
Arnold, M.: Symphonies Nos. 7 and 8
Elgar: Symphonies Nos. 1 & 2, Symphony No. 3 Elaborated by Anthony Payne
