BritSymphCup
@britsymphcup.bsky.social
Originally, World Cup of 500 British & Irish symphonies. From Jan 2025 #britsymphyear, tweet a day exploring 20/21C British/Irish classical music. Playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/7BWeL8ZjWAQ4L1aPdtOGOK?si=kBxDnR42SwGZnHv0dfua4Q&pi=RQ5cU2bVSVGcA
Died #OTD in 1959, English composer, Albert Ketèlbey. His orchestral work In a Monastery Garden was premiered in 1915, performed by Ketèlbey himself at the piano with a small orchestra in London. open.spotify.com/track/2lmttN... #britsymphyear
In a Monastery Garden - Characteristic Intermezzo - 1993 Remastered Version
open.spotify.com
November 26, 2025 at 8:03 AM
Died #OTD in 1959, English composer, Albert Ketèlbey. His orchestral work In a Monastery Garden was premiered in 1915, performed by Ketèlbey himself at the piano with a small orchestra in London. open.spotify.com/track/2lmttN... #britsymphyear
Born #OTD in 1975, Welsh composer, Paul Mealor. His Stabat Mater was premiered in March 2015 at King’s College Chapel, Aberdeen, performed by the University of Aberdeen Chamber Choir under Mealor’s direction. open.spotify.com/track/4fqdvd... #britsymphyear
Stabat Mater: Movement 1
open.spotify.com
November 25, 2025 at 7:17 AM
Born #OTD in 1975, Welsh composer, Paul Mealor. His Stabat Mater was premiered in March 2015 at King’s College Chapel, Aberdeen, performed by the University of Aberdeen Chamber Choir under Mealor’s direction. open.spotify.com/track/4fqdvd... #britsymphyear
Born #OTD in 1901, Scottish bass singer, actor & composer, Gavin Gordon. His ballet suite, Les noces imaginaires, was likely premiered in London in the mid-1930s, conceived for concert rather than stage performance. open.spotify.com/track/7b0bV2... #britsymphyear
Ballet Suite 'Les Noces Imaginaires': I. Overture
open.spotify.com
November 24, 2025 at 9:17 AM
Born #OTD in 1901, Scottish bass singer, actor & composer, Gavin Gordon. His ballet suite, Les noces imaginaires, was likely premiered in London in the mid-1930s, conceived for concert rather than stage performance. open.spotify.com/track/7b0bV2... #britsymphyear
Premiered #OTD in 1922, the song cycle The Curlew by English composer, Peter Warlock. The performance took place at London’s Hyde Park Hotel, sung by Philip Wilson. open.spotify.com/track/2ntikX... #britsymphyear
The Curlew: I. The Curlew
open.spotify.com
November 23, 2025 at 9:06 AM
Premiered #OTD in 1922, the song cycle The Curlew by English composer, Peter Warlock. The performance took place at London’s Hyde Park Hotel, sung by Philip Wilson. open.spotify.com/track/2ntikX... #britsymphyear
Died #OTD in 1963, the 35th US President, John F Kennedy. Herbert Howells’ Take Him, Earth, for Cherishing was composed in response to the assassination. open.spotify.com/track/5WEriC... #britsymphyear
Take Him, Earth, for Cherishing
open.spotify.com
November 22, 2025 at 7:49 AM
Died #OTD in 1963, the 35th US President, John F Kennedy. Herbert Howells’ Take Him, Earth, for Cherishing was composed in response to the assassination. open.spotify.com/track/5WEriC... #britsymphyear
Out today, 1st disc of orchestral music by Avril Coleridge-Taylor. John Andrews @jkaconductor.bsky.social conducting BBC Philharmonic Orch in Piano Concerto (w/ Samantha Ege), Comet Prelude, Sussex Landscape, To April, From the Hills, Valse Caprice & In Memoriam. open.spotify.com/album/6EroQD...
Avril Coleridge-Taylor: Piano Concerto & Orchestral Works
open.spotify.com
November 21, 2025 at 10:35 AM
Out today, 1st disc of orchestral music by Avril Coleridge-Taylor. John Andrews @jkaconductor.bsky.social conducting BBC Philharmonic Orch in Piano Concerto (w/ Samantha Ege), Comet Prelude, Sussex Landscape, To April, From the Hills, Valse Caprice & In Memoriam. open.spotify.com/album/6EroQD...
Premiered #OTD in 1935, the 6th Symphony by English composer, Arnold Bax. The world premiere took place at Queen’s Hall, London, by the Royal Philharmonic Society Orchestra under Adrian Boult’s direction. open.spotify.com/track/2IwsSc... #britsymphyear
Symphony No. 6, GP 331: I. Moderato - Allegro con fuoco
open.spotify.com
November 21, 2025 at 7:51 AM
Premiered #OTD in 1935, the 6th Symphony by English composer, Arnold Bax. The world premiere took place at Queen’s Hall, London, by the Royal Philharmonic Society Orchestra under Adrian Boult’s direction. open.spotify.com/track/2IwsSc... #britsymphyear
Premiered #OTD in 1975 (50 years ago), the orchestral work, Columbia Falls, by English composer Nicola Lefanu. The premiere was given by the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra under Louis Frémaux. open.spotify.com/track/6pJzuH... #britsymphyear
Columbia Falls - Live
open.spotify.com
November 20, 2025 at 7:44 AM
Premiered #OTD in 1975 (50 years ago), the orchestral work, Columbia Falls, by English composer Nicola Lefanu. The premiere was given by the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra under Louis Frémaux. open.spotify.com/track/6pJzuH... #britsymphyear
Born on 21 November 1931, Australian composer Malcolm Williamson. His Sinfonietta was premiered on 21 March 1965 at the Royal Festival Hall, by the New Philharmonia Orchestra & Sir Adrian Boult. open.spotify.com/track/309vxa... #britsymphyear
Sinfonietta: Prelude
open.spotify.com
November 19, 2025 at 7:02 AM
Born on 21 November 1931, Australian composer Malcolm Williamson. His Sinfonietta was premiered on 21 March 1965 at the Royal Festival Hall, by the New Philharmonia Orchestra & Sir Adrian Boult. open.spotify.com/track/309vxa... #britsymphyear
Died on 9 November 2021, Irish composer, John Kinsella. His 7th Symphony was premiered in February 2007 at the National Concert Hall, Dublin, by the RTÉ National Symphony Orchestra & National Chamber Choir of Ireland, conducted by Proinnsias Ó Duinn. open.spotify.com/track/5ejvOF... #britsymphyear
Symphony No.7 (1999) - I. Maestoso
open.spotify.com
November 18, 2025 at 7:19 AM
Died on 9 November 2021, Irish composer, John Kinsella. His 7th Symphony was premiered in February 2007 at the National Concert Hall, Dublin, by the RTÉ National Symphony Orchestra & National Chamber Choir of Ireland, conducted by Proinnsias Ó Duinn. open.spotify.com/track/5ejvOF... #britsymphyear
Died #OTD in 2023, Irish composer & teacher, Seóirse Bodley. His orchestral work A Small White Cloud Drifts Over Ireland was premiered in Dublin on 5 January 1976, by the RTÉ Symphony Orchestra under Proinnsías Ó Duinn. open.spotify.com/track/5A9v5L... #britsymphyear
Spotify – Web Player
open.spotify.com
November 17, 2025 at 7:01 AM
Died #OTD in 2023, Irish composer & teacher, Seóirse Bodley. His orchestral work A Small White Cloud Drifts Over Ireland was premiered in Dublin on 5 January 1976, by the RTÉ Symphony Orchestra under Proinnsías Ó Duinn. open.spotify.com/track/5A9v5L... #britsymphyear
Died #OTD in 2006, English composer, John Veale. His 1984 Violin Concerto was premiered in a 1986 BBC broadcast by Erich Gruenberg with the BBC Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Edward Downes. open.spotify.com/track/4SES2I... #britsymphyear
Violin Concerto: I. Moderato - Allegro
open.spotify.com
November 16, 2025 at 8:24 AM
Died #OTD in 2006, English composer, John Veale. His 1984 Violin Concerto was premiered in a 1986 BBC broadcast by Erich Gruenberg with the BBC Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Edward Downes. open.spotify.com/track/4SES2I... #britsymphyear
Reposted by BritSymphCup
First I’ve listened to Bishop Rock. If you had told me that this was from a John Williams’ score from the 1980s, I would not have questioned it.
Also, this is beautiful work. Thank you for introducing me to Ms. Carwithen.
Also, this is beautiful work. Thank you for introducing me to Ms. Carwithen.
November 15, 2025 at 1:45 PM
First I’ve listened to Bishop Rock. If you had told me that this was from a John Williams’ score from the 1980s, I would not have questioned it.
Also, this is beautiful work. Thank you for introducing me to Ms. Carwithen.
Also, this is beautiful work. Thank you for introducing me to Ms. Carwithen.
Born #OTD in 1922, English composer, Doreen Carwithen. Her Concerto for Piano & Strings was premiered at the BBC Proms on 25 August 1952 at the Royal Albert Hall, with Iris Loveridge as soloist and London Symphony Orchestra conducted by Trevor Harvey. open.spotify.com/track/4tPCV5... #britsymphyear
Concerto for Piano and Strings: I. Allegro assai
open.spotify.com
November 15, 2025 at 7:34 AM
Born #OTD in 1922, English composer, Doreen Carwithen. Her Concerto for Piano & Strings was premiered at the BBC Proms on 25 August 1952 at the Royal Albert Hall, with Iris Loveridge as soloist and London Symphony Orchestra conducted by Trevor Harvey. open.spotify.com/track/4tPCV5... #britsymphyear
Reposted by BritSymphCup
Next week I am performing her beautiful Ballade for viola & piano with Jenny Lewisohn with works by Freda Swain and Rebecca Clarke
November 14, 2025 at 11:54 AM
Next week I am performing her beautiful Ballade for viola & piano with Jenny Lewisohn with works by Freda Swain and Rebecca Clarke
Died #OTD in 1999, English composer, Minna Keal. Her Cello Concerto was premiered at Snape Maltings in 1994 by Alexander Baillie, City of London Sinfonia & Richard Hickox. open.spotify.com/track/0108HF... #britsymphyear
Cello Concerto: I. Maestoso
open.spotify.com
November 14, 2025 at 7:07 AM
Died #OTD in 1999, English composer, Minna Keal. Her Cello Concerto was premiered at Snape Maltings in 1994 by Alexander Baillie, City of London Sinfonia & Richard Hickox. open.spotify.com/track/0108HF... #britsymphyear
Born #OTD in 1885, English composer & pianist, Montague Phillips. His Piano Concerto No 2 in E major was premiered at the Proms on 9 September 1920 at Queen’s Hall, London, with William G. James as soloist & the composer conducting. open.spotify.com/track/1CNfSV... #britsymphyear
Spotify – Web Player
open.spotify.com
November 13, 2025 at 7:38 AM
Born #OTD in 1885, English composer & pianist, Montague Phillips. His Piano Concerto No 2 in E major was premiered at the Proms on 9 September 1920 at Queen’s Hall, London, with William G. James as soloist & the composer conducting. open.spotify.com/track/1CNfSV... #britsymphyear
Reposted by BritSymphCup
I recently wrote about Maconchy's v fine Serenata Concertante for BBC NOW (worth remembering BBC orchestras/Singers in discussions about the organisation's future). The violinist who premiered and recorded the work was Manoug Parikian (hi @levparikian.bsky.social)
www.youtube.com/watch?v=fegz...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=fegz...
November 12, 2025 at 8:57 AM
I recently wrote about Maconchy's v fine Serenata Concertante for BBC NOW (worth remembering BBC orchestras/Singers in discussions about the organisation's future). The violinist who premiered and recorded the work was Manoug Parikian (hi @levparikian.bsky.social)
www.youtube.com/watch?v=fegz...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=fegz...
Died #OTD in 1994, English-Irish composer, Elizabeth Maconchy. Her Music for Strings was premiered at the 1983 BBC Proms by the BBC Philharmonic Orchestra under Edward Downes. open.spotify.com/track/1kWVlr... #britsymphyear
Music for Strings: I. Molto moderato
open.spotify.com
November 12, 2025 at 7:15 AM
Died #OTD in 1994, English-Irish composer, Elizabeth Maconchy. Her Music for Strings was premiered at the 1983 BBC Proms by the BBC Philharmonic Orchestra under Edward Downes. open.spotify.com/track/1kWVlr... #britsymphyear
Premiered #OTD in 1906, the opera The Wreckers by English composer & conductor, Ethel Smyth. It was given at the Neues Theater in Leipzig under its German title, Strandrecht. open.spotify.com/track/63zeHm... #britsymphyear
The Wreckers: Overture
open.spotify.com
November 11, 2025 at 8:17 AM
Premiered #OTD in 1906, the opera The Wreckers by English composer & conductor, Ethel Smyth. It was given at the Neues Theater in Leipzig under its German title, Strandrecht. open.spotify.com/track/63zeHm... #britsymphyear
Reposted by BritSymphCup
I see there was also an earlier 1st private performance at 1910 Gloucester 3 Choirs, Elgar piano Reed violin though some say Kreisler. seenandheard-international.com/2023/07/elec...
Electrifying Elgar sets the seal on a memorable evening at the Three Choirs Festival – Seen and Heard International
seenandheard-international.com
November 10, 2025 at 9:11 AM
I see there was also an earlier 1st private performance at 1910 Gloucester 3 Choirs, Elgar piano Reed violin though some say Kreisler. seenandheard-international.com/2023/07/elec...
Premiered #OTD in 1910, the Violin Concerto in B minor, by English composer & conductor, Edward Elgar.
It was launched at Queen’s Hall, London, with Fritz Kreisler as soloist & Elgar conducting the London Symphony Orchestra. open.spotify.com/track/3oGLl2... #britsymphyear
It was launched at Queen’s Hall, London, with Fritz Kreisler as soloist & Elgar conducting the London Symphony Orchestra. open.spotify.com/track/3oGLl2... #britsymphyear
Elgar: Violin Concerto in B Minor, Op. 61: I. Allegro
open.spotify.com
November 10, 2025 at 7:06 AM
Premiered #OTD in 1910, the Violin Concerto in B minor, by English composer & conductor, Edward Elgar.
It was launched at Queen’s Hall, London, with Fritz Kreisler as soloist & Elgar conducting the London Symphony Orchestra. open.spotify.com/track/3oGLl2... #britsymphyear
It was launched at Queen’s Hall, London, with Fritz Kreisler as soloist & Elgar conducting the London Symphony Orchestra. open.spotify.com/track/3oGLl2... #britsymphyear
Premiered #OTD in 2010, the saxophone quartet work, Lunar Seas, by Welsh composer, Christopher Painter. The first performance took place at Lampeter University, with the Lunar Saxophone Quartet. open.spotify.com/track/3EIx9u... #britsymphyear
Lunar Seas: I Lacus Gaudii (Lake of Joy)
open.spotify.com
November 9, 2025 at 7:30 AM
Premiered #OTD in 2010, the saxophone quartet work, Lunar Seas, by Welsh composer, Christopher Painter. The first performance took place at Lampeter University, with the Lunar Saxophone Quartet. open.spotify.com/track/3EIx9u... #britsymphyear
Reposted by BritSymphCup
The first complete recording of the compelling songs of British composer, Rebecca Clarke (1886-1979) [1979!!]
Given a great write up here:
www.theguardian.com/music/2025/n...
Given a great write up here:
www.theguardian.com/music/2025/n...
Rebecca Clarke: The Complete Songs album review – rich, radiant performances bring a forgotten voice to life
A superb survey of Clarke’s lyrical, long-overlooked songs reveals a composer of depth and drama
www.theguardian.com
November 7, 2025 at 9:04 PM
The first complete recording of the compelling songs of British composer, Rebecca Clarke (1886-1979) [1979!!]
Given a great write up here:
www.theguardian.com/music/2025/n...
Given a great write up here:
www.theguardian.com/music/2025/n...
Born #OTD in 1938, English composer, Richard Stoker. His Clarinet Sonatina (recorded as Sonata) was premiered on BBC Radio 3 in 1980, by clarinettist Einar Jóhannesson & pianist Philip Jenkins. open.spotify.com/track/1DJ5a4... #britsymphyear
Sonata for Clarinet and Piano, Op. 5: I. Allegretto
open.spotify.com
November 8, 2025 at 8:04 AM
Born #OTD in 1938, English composer, Richard Stoker. His Clarinet Sonatina (recorded as Sonata) was premiered on BBC Radio 3 in 1980, by clarinettist Einar Jóhannesson & pianist Philip Jenkins. open.spotify.com/track/1DJ5a4... #britsymphyear