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BUSH, Geoffrey (1920–98)
Symphonies (i) 1; (ii) 2 (Guildford). (iii) Music for Orchestra; (iv) Overture Yorick
Lyrita (ADD/DDD) SRCD 252. (i) LSO, Braithwaite; (ii) RPO, Wordsworth; (iii) LPO; (iv) Philh. O; (iii–iv) Handley
This very well-filled disc brings together fine Lyrita recordings made between 1972 and 1982, and adds a superb, completely new recording of the Symphony No. 2. The vigorous Yorick Overture (1949), written in memory of the comedian Tommy Handley, opens this concert most invitingly. It has all the exuberance of a Walton overture and is an immensely jolly piece, with wit and warm lyricism nicely balanced; in one brief, syncopated idea it offers a rhythmic reminder of Lambert’s Horoscope. The first of the two symphonies dates from 1954 and is a positive, three-movement structure centring on an elegiac slow movement with blues overtones, written in memory of Constant Lambert. The slow movement, Elegiac Blues, actually quotes from The Rio Grande. The work exhibits the traditional values of fine craftsmanship and directness of utterance by which Bush set great store. He did not shrink from the notion that music should entertain, and the main body of the first movement, as well as the finale, is much lighter in character than those of many contemporary British symphonists.
The Second Symphony is outgoing, too. This is no formal exercise but a warm statement of personal feeling. Its four clearly defined sections are played without a break, the first and last suitably genial and festive. Both the central slow movement and the witty Scherzo, with two catchy trios, draw on earlier material, which is then recapitulated in reverse for the finale. Music for Orchestra (1967) is also designed to be played continuously. It is, in the composer’s words, ‘a miniature symphony, with the string parts carefully written to be playable by amateur performers, yet with plenty of opportunities for bravura offered to the wind and brass.’ Ample percussion and a piano add to the vividness. It is a formidable and by no means lightweight piece, with a bleakly poignant Lento at its centre, with the threads of the structure drawn together in the finale, called an Epilogue but which becomes energetic towards the close. All the performances and recordings are outstandingly good, notably that of the Symphony No. 2, conducted by Barry Wordsworth.
这张内容充实的唱片收录了1972至1982年间莱瑞塔公司的精品录音,并新增了一版精彩的《第二交响曲》全新录音。作为开场曲目的《约里克序曲》(1949)是为纪念喜剧演员汤米·汉德利而作,以极具感染力的姿态拉开音乐会序幕。这部作品洋溢着沃尔顿式序曲的蓬勃朝气,诙谐元素与温暖抒情相得益彰,其中一段简短的切分音动机令人想起兰伯特《占星图》的节奏特征。
1954年创作的第一交响曲采用三乐章结构,以带有蓝调色彩的沉痛慢乐章为核心,该乐章《哀伤蓝调》直接引用了《格兰德河》的旋律,以此纪念康斯坦特·兰伯特。整部作品彰显了布什所推崇的精湛技艺与直抒胸臆的传统价值,他毫不避讳音乐应具娱乐性的理念,其第一乐章主体及终章比同期多数英国交响曲更显轻快气质。
第二交响曲同样具有外向型特质,绝非形式化的炫技之作,而是饱含真挚情感的表达。四个界限分明的乐章连续演奏,首尾乐章洋溢着恰如其分的欢庆氛围。核心慢乐章与点缀着两段抓耳三重奏的谐谑曲均取材自早期作品素材,并在终章以倒装再现。1967年创作的《管弦乐组曲》同样采用连贯演奏形式,作曲家自述这是"一部微型交响曲,弦乐声部专为业余演奏者设计,同时为管乐与铜管预留了充分的炫技空间"。丰富的打击乐与钢琴声部更添华彩,这部结构严谨的作品绝非浅薄之作,其阴郁悲凉的缓板乐章居于核心位置,终章《尾声》将全曲线索收束于渐强的激昂乐段。所有演录版本均属上乘之作,其中巴里·华兹华斯指挥的《第二交响曲》尤为出色。
(源于DeepSeek翻译)
https://115cdn.com/s/swwb5il3hq9?password=3377&#
Bush, Geoffrey - Symphonies Nos.1&2, Music for Orchestra - Braithwaite & Wordsworth & Handley [Lyrita]
这个推荐清单里有不少近现代作曲家,是个了解他们的作品很不错的窗口。
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