Two impressive recent half-hour Symphonies from London-born (in 1964) Matthew Taylor. The Fourth (2015-16, for large orchestra), in memoriam John McCabe and dedicated to his widow Monica, has three movements played without a break. It opens brightly shining and pulsating, a surge of energy that subsides to beguiling expression and detailing that between them recall Michael Tippett’s Second Symphony and progresses through mighty developments and intensities to a deeply eloquent Adagio teneramente, which is then countered by a ‘Finale buffa’ marked Allegro giocoso, perky music athletic in its drive that reaches brassy jubilation.
Written for the Kensington Symphony Orchestra and Russell Keable, Taylor 4 is a compelling listen and invites return visits. So too his Fifth (for the English Symphony Orchestra and Kenneth Woods, and scored similarly to Beethoven’s Fifth, a work at the heart of Taylor’s musical discoveries, when aged only five), a four-movement affair with an arresting opener, so involving that I wish it were longer, anguished music that hits the emotional spot in its turbulence, if with consolatory asides, surreptitiously building to a thrilling climax and coda with searing trumpets and hard-hitting timpani. The remaining three movements are each headed “Tribute” – respectively to Cy Lloyd, Angela Simpson (Robert Simpson’s widow) and Brigid Taylor (Taylor’s mother), all now deceased. The first two are intermezzo-like and expressive, the first fleeting and poignant, the second ethereal and mysterious. The Finale is the longest movement, a twelve-minute Adagio, spare and burdened, if from the heart, and perhaps an emotional exorcism on Taylor’s part as the grief quotient (and the decibels, timpani spotlighted once more) increases, although, to my ears, the close (given to trombones) is anything but a laying to rest…
In between the Symphonies is Romanza for Strings (the second movement of Taylor’s String Quartet No.6 – in that original form a gift for his wife on their wedding day). It’s a slow-burn passionate yet private piece, intense and reflective, secrets not easily given up, and one wants to discover them, so this recording is invaluable.
Woods and the ESO have documented a riveting reading of Symphony 5, and Woods – this time with the BBC National Orchestra of Wales – ensures similar excellence in Symphony 4 and the Romanza; good sound, too, whether in Cardiff or in London. Plenty of helpful reading in the booklet – contributors include the composer and the conductor – to complete this very distinguished and rewarding release on Nimbus Alliance NI6406.
These symphonies (like other fine contemporary British works) ought to be programmed by the leading British symphony orchestras and in the repertoire of British conductors as a matter of course, purely on the demonstrable artistic merit of the music – but they’re not. Discuss.
I couldn’t agree more Bob. In many other countries they would be of course. National
pride in home grown new masterworks should allow for this to happen. Under the Soviet system, say what you like about the politics, but the conviction to represent new music by national composers always seemed to have a precedence. For example the music of Boris Tischenko is well covered by Northern Flowers and other Russian labels. Supraphon did well for Czech composers.
Our capitalist preference for instant gratification mitigates against investing money on new and often little known music by local composers. Our best orchestras do their best but they are driven by their balance sheets and rely upon occasional
financial support from entrepreneurs etc. The days of the British Council funding new British recordings are a distant memory. But we should battle on and do our best in this largely hostile environment. All
Is not lost when recent issues of notable recent symphonies by some of our finest composers receive such rewarding performances by conductors of the stature of Ken Woods, a true champion of British music. And he is an American!!! Very much in the mould of Koussevitzky to my mind.
May I just add that this CD of Matthew Taylor’s two symphonies is absolutely splendid. I am deeply touched by the dedication. The performances are marvellous. I would have written before but I’ve been off-line, having in-house land-line rewired, However, TalkTalk/Openreach have finally agreed that the problem was outside all along (after five months) and replaced their cable…..’Keep right on to the end of the road, etc…’