2956-4107 Phonographic Realisations of the Gothic Symphony by Havergal Brian Łapeta Oskar author Uniwersytet Warszawski 039bjqg32 Correspondence to: Oskar Łapeta oskar.lapeta@gmail.com 29 09 2018 Issue 37 (2/2018) English Issues 161 176 Copyright © 2018 2018 <p style="text-align: left;"><span style="text-align: justify;">Havergal Brian’s Symphony No. 1 in D minor (1919–1927), known as Gothic Symphony, is possibly one of the most demanding and difficult pieces in symphonic repertoire, the largest-scale symphony ever written, outdoing the most extreme demands of Mahler, Strauss and Schönberg. After the purely instrumental part 1, part 2 is a gigantic setting of Te Deum, inspired by the mighty Gothic cathedrals. This outstanding work has been performed only six times since its premiere in 1961, and has been recorded in studio only once. There are three existing phonographic realisations of this work. Two of them are live recordings made in England. The first of them comes from 1966, when the Symphony was recorded under the direction of Adrian Boult (it was released by the Testament label under catalogue number SBT2 1454) and the second one was made in 2011 under the baton of Martyn Brabbins (it was released in the same year under catalogue number CDA67971/2). The third recording, but the first one that has been available internationally, was made in Bratislava in 1989 under Ondrej Lenárd (it was first released by Marco Polo label in 1990, and later published by Naxos in 2004 under catalogue number 8.557418-19). Made with different orchestras and choirs, under very different sonic circumstances, they also differ considerably within interpretative ideas represented by conductors. They show Brian’s work in different ways, illuminating this composition. Sadly, despite their efforts, the composer’s output is still perceived as peripheral curiosity for connoisseurs.</span></p> 1 [without author], Longest Symphony, [in:] Guinness World Records, [online] http://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/world-records/longest-symphony/. 2 [without author], Mushrooms (Acoustic Diffusers): 85 Fibreglass Saucers which Hang from the Auditorium Ceiling, [online] https://www.royalalberthall.com/about-the-hall/our-history/explore-our-history/building/acoustic-diffusers-mushrooms/. 3 [without author], Symphony No.1 (Brian, Havergal), [in:] IMSLP: Petrucci Music Library, [online] http://imslp.org/wiki/Symphony_No.1_(Brian%2C_Havergal). 4 Brian H., Gustav Mahler’s Eighth Symphony, “Musical Opinion”, March 1930. 5 Brian H., How the “Gothic Symphony” Came to Be Written, “The Modern Mystic and Monthly Science Review” 2 (1938), No. 11. 6 Brown D.J., Mounting the “Gothic”: The Schmidt Performance, 1980, [online] http://www.havergalbrian.org/sym1_2.htm. 7 Brown D.J., Recording “The Gothic” in Bratislava, [online] http://www.havergalbrian.org/recordinggothic.htm. 8 Cox T., What Is Wrong with London’s Concert Halls, [in:] The Sound Blog: Dispatches from Acoustic and Audio Engineering, 9.03.2005, [online] https://acousticengineering.wordpress.com/2015/03/09/ what-is-wrong-with-londons-concert-halls/. 9 Eastough K., Havergal Brian: The Making of the Composer, London 1976. 10 MacDonald M., Brian As Faust, [online] http://www.havergalbrian.org/articles/sym1_12.php. 11 Schaarwächter J., Beethoven, Berlioz, Brian (or Three Bs and More): Influences on One British Symphony and Beyond, [online] http:// www.havergalbrian.org/articles/threebs.php. 12 The Havergal Brian Society, Symphony 1: The Gothic, [online] http://www.havergalbrian.org/works/symphony-1.php. 13 Wiśnios J., Brian Havergal, [in:] Encyklopedia muzyczna PWM. Część biograficzna. Suplement, E. Dziębowska (ed.), Vol. 1 (AB), Kraków 1998.