Ian Whyte (1901-61), founder, in 1935, and principal conductor of BBC Scottish Orchestra from 1946 until his death
Composed during the 1950s for Max Rostal, it’s taken since then for the Violin Concerto by Ian Whyte (from 1935 the BBC’s head of music in Scotland, during which time the BBC Scottish Orchestra was founded, Whyte becoming its conductor in 1946), via completion by Robin McEwan, to be premiered. Whyte’s Violin Concerto is a pleasing discovery, rather rhapsodic, reminding of Delius occasionally, the most-engaging movement (of the three) being the Finale, attractively giocoso, the violin continuing to lyricise, now above lively rhythms. Stephanie Gonley impressed, and Martyn Brabbins and the additional-S upgraded (whenever it was) BBCSSO ensured that the work’s unveiling was made significant. Orchestra and conductor were also dedicated to James MacMillan’s The Confession of Isobel Gowdie, which resounded its 1990 success, although it does little for me, even so one appreciates why it made such a big impression back then; and Rachmaninov’s Second Symphony, which the SSO (in its ninetieth year) played memorably at this year’s Proms (on September 10), and although it was surprising that this ensemble was returning to it so soon, Brabbins’s sympathetic conducting ensured another splendid rendition of it, the work given complete (if without the first-movement exposition repeat), embracing an agile Scherzo, flowing Adagio, and a Finale that reached a glorious summit and, with it, a wholesomely related payoff.
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Ian Whyte was a familiar broadcasting figure from my youth – I recall his Mozart 40 and 41 were both really fine performances. There was also a work for bagpipes and orchestra by him, the title of which I forget, but I remember Hans Keller speaking highly of Ian Whyte: ‘If only he had a proper orchestra to conduct.’ he said. The Violin Concerto is something of a discovery and certainly merits recording, and it is good to be reminded of what a sterling musician he was; many thanks once more to Martyn Brabbins.
I remember Bryden ‘Jack’ Thomson conducting a Whyte tone poem in Stockport Town Hall 50 years ago: ‘Edinburgh’, I think. Followed by the ballet music from El Cid by Massenet which remains a favourite of mine. Like Colin I have never really ‘got’ the Gowdie piece but have enjoyed his later works.
Peter