William Wallace: Symphonic Poems / Martyn Brabbins, BBC Scottish SO

Recommendation

This recording from Hyperion Records on their mid-priced Helios line is the welcome reissue of a full priced release from 1996. At that time, it was the first recording made of music by Scottish composer William Wallace (1860-1940). There is now about half a dozen CDs with a significant chunk of their programs dedicated to the music of Wallace. Good to keep in mind, because I'd guess many listeners who get to know this superbly performed and engineered recording would want to seek out more of Wallace's music. The performances of four of the composer's symphonic poems - Sister Helen, The Passing of Beatrice, Villon and a work about Wallace's namesake, Sir William Wallace - are by Martyn Brabbins and the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra.

Born in Greenock, Scotland, William Wallace became an ophthalmic surgeon, then in 1889 began his studies of music at the Royal Academy in London, later becoming a professor there of composition and harmony. He was most active composing during the two decades on either side of the year 1900. Stylistically, he was an unabashed romantic and most of what he produced is for orchestra. A devoted student of the music of Wagner and Liszt, he was among the first composers in the British Isles to write symphonic poems. These vivid, dramatic and colorful works were inspired by the lives, either fictional or real, of extraordinary figures who endured incredible hardships. Wallace's musical characterizations of them are gripping. In the wake of the anti-Romantic currents of the early 20th century, Wallace's music waned practically into oblivion, as the British of the Edwardian and Victorian era had little use for anything not written by Sullivan or Elgar.

The sample from the album in the right sidebar is the taut and dramatic final movement of Symphonic Poem No. 5 'Sir William Wallace'. Much of the music on the disc is more subtle and nuanced than this, but it's all passionate, beautifully orchestrated and directly appealing. Listeners on the lookout for something fresh in the late-Romantic vein will definitely want to consider picking this up - but check your shelves first to make sure you don't already own the initial release.

Album Overview

William Wallace was a classical scholar, a doctor, a poet and dramatist, a writer on music and musicians, and the man described by Shaw as, "a young Scotch composer with a very tender and sympathetic talent." His orchestral compositions rank amongst the earliest attempts at the genre of the symphonic poem to be made in the British Isles. His choice of subjects for these was at least as wide-ranging as his own interests and achievements. This mid-priced (Helious Series) collection of tone poems features Martyn Brabbins leading the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra.

Source: Hyperion Helios Series

William Wallace, composer	William Wallace  Wallace (3 July 1860 – 16 December 1940) was notable as a Scottish classical composer and writer. He served as Dean of the Faculty of Music in the University of London. Born at Greenock, Wallace studied ophthalmology at the University of Glasgow, and in Vienna and Paris. He became a qualified ophthalmic surgeon and served in the First World War at the rank of Captain. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_Wallace_(Scottish_composer)
Martyn Brabbins, conductor	Martyn Brabbins Brabbins is known for his affinity with music of the late 19th/early 20th centuries, to which he brings a Romantic sensibility, unerring sense of pace and an extraordinary ear for detail. He is closely associated with British music, and his recordings of the Walton symphonies with the BBC Scottish Symphony achieved critical acclaim. http://www.intermusica.co.uk/brabbins
BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra	BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra The BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra was formed in December 1935 and is a key contributor to the BBC’s broadcasting and cultural role. Now in its 80th year, it performs to large and enthusiastic audiences in venues throughout Scotland. A past recipient of the Royal Philharmonic Society Award for best orchestra, the BBC SSO’s commercial recordings have received a number of prizes, including four Gramophone Awards. http://www.bbc.co.uk/bbcsso

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