Short bio Havergal Brian
Birthday:
1876 in Dresden, Staffordshire, England
Died:
1972 in Shoreham-by-Sea, Sussex, England
Active:
1910s - 1960s
Genre:
Classical
Period:
Modern
Full biography Havergal Brian
Havergal Brian was a British composer born on January 29, 1876. He is known for his unique and complex style of music composition, which blends different forms of classical music genres such as symphonies, operas, and chamber music.
Brian's music was widely misunderstood during his lifetime, with many critics finding it too experimental and challenging. However, over time, his works began to gain recognition, and he was eventually hailed as one of the most innovative composers of the 20th century.
Brian's most significant work is undoubtedly his Gothic Symphony, composed in the 1920s. This mammoth work is scored for a massive orchestra, two choirs, and soloists, and takes over two hours to perform. The symphony is one of the largest and most ambitious in classical music's history, with its premiere taking place in 1932 in London's Royal Albert Hall.
Despite his ground-breaking work, Brian remained relatively unknown during his lifetime, and he passed away on November 28, 1972, without getting the full recognition he deserved. However, in recent years, his music has seen a resurgence in popularity, and his legacy has been revisited by modern critics and composers.
In conclusion, Havergal Brian was a revolutionary composer whose music has left an indelible mark on classical music. His works were often ahead of their time, and he was not afraid to push the boundaries of music composition. Despite the challenges he faced in his lifetime, his music continues to inspire and captivate audiences today.
Compositions featuring Havergal Brian
| # | Name | Duration | Genre | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Festival Fanfare | 1:46 min | Chamber Music | 1967 |
| 2 | Symphony No. 24 in D major | 16:28 min | Symphony | 1965 |
| 3 | Symphony No. 23 | 13:44 min | Symphony | 1965 |
| 4 | Concerto for cello & orchestra | 21:44 min | Concerto | 1964 |
| 5 | Concerto for Orchestra | 15:47 min | Concerto | 1964 |
| 6 | The Cenci, opera | Opera | 1952 | |
| 7 | Symphony No. 5 ("Wine of Summer"), for baritone & orchestra | Symphony | 1937 | |
| 8 | The Tigers, opera | 161:22 min | Opera | 1932 |
| 9 | A Faery Song, for voice & piano, Op. 13c | 2:06 min | Vocal Music | 1922 |
| 10 | English Suite No. 4 'Kindergarten', for orchestra | 12:18 min | Orchestral | 1921 |
| 11 | English Suite No. 3, for orchestra | 17:45 min | Orchestral | 1919 |
| 12 | The Lost Doll, song for voice & piano | 1:24 min | Vocal Music | 1913 |
| 13 | The Mountain and the Squirrel, song for voice & piano | 1:24 min | Vocal Music | 1913 |
| 14 | What Does Little Birdie Say, song for voice & piano | 1:25 min | Vocal Music | 1913 |
| 15 | Herrick songs (2) for women's chorus & orchestra | 12:55 min | Choral | 1911 |
| 16 | Three Songs for Tenor, Op. 13b | 10:48 min | Vocal Music | 1906 |
| 17 | Little Sleeper, song for voice & piano, Op. 13a | 5:29 min | Vocal Music | 1906 |
| 18 | English Suite No. 1, for orchestra, Op. 12 | 26:01 min | Orchestral | 1905 |
| 19 | The Lord Is My Shepherd (Psalm 23), for chorus & orchestra | 15:43 min | Choral | 1904 |
| 20 | Three Songs for Contralto or Baritone, Op. 6 | 9:57 min | Vocal Music | 1901 |
| 21 | Symphony No. 27 in C major | 21:46 min | Symphony | - |
| 22 | Symphony No. 31 | 13:09 min | Symphony | - |
| 23 | Symphony No. 26 | 17:37 min | Symphony | - |
| 24 | Symphony No. 29 in E flat major | 23:04 min | Symphony | - |
| 25 | Symphony No. 25 in A minor | 24:04 min | Symphony | - |
| 26 | Symphony No. 30 in B flat minor | 14:55 min | Symphony | - |
| 27 | Symphony No. 28 in C minor | 13:58 min | Symphony | - |
| 28 | The Jolly Miller, comedy overture for orchestra | 4:44 min | Orchestral | - |
| 29 | Symphony No. 22, "Symphonia brevis" | 9:26 min | Symphony | - |
| 30 | Symphony No. 21 in E flat | 29:16 min | Symphony | - |
| 31 | Symphony No. 20 in C sharp minor | 26:21 min | Symphony | - |
| 32 | Symphony No. 19 in E minor | 17:53 min | Symphony | - |
| 33 | Symphony No. 18 | 14:17 min | Symphony | - |
| 34 | Symphony No. 17 | 13:34 min | Symphony | - |
| 35 | Symphony No. 16 | 16:30 min | Symphony | - |
| 36 | Symphony No. 15 in A major | 22:47 min | Symphony | - |
| 37 | The little black boy, for voice & piano | 4:39 min | Vocal Music | - |
| 38 | Why Dost Thou Wound and Break My Heart?, for voice & piano | 2:58 min | Vocal Music | - |
| 39 | When the sun goes down, for voice & piano | 4:36 min | Vocal Music | - |
| 40 | When Icicles Hang by the Wall, for voice & piano | 2:11 min | Vocal Music | - |
| 41 | Transporting joy, for voice & piano | 3:22 min | Vocal Music | - |
| 42 | Tinker's Wedding, comedy overture for orchestra | 7:26 min | Orchestral | - |
| 43 | The Soul of Steel, for voice & piano | 4:41 min | Vocal Music | - |
| 44 | The night piece, for voice & piano | 4:46 min | Vocal Music | - |
| 45 | The Message, for voice & piano | 2:22 min | Vocal Music | - |
| 46 | The mad maid's song, for voice & piano | 2:53 min | Vocal Music | - |
| 47 | Symphony No. 32 in A flat major | 20:44 min | Symphony | - |
| 48 | The Land of Dreams, for voice & piano | 4:01 min | Vocal Music | - |
| 49 | Symphony No. 8 in B flat minor | 24:09 min | Symphony | - |
| 50 | The fly, for voice & piano | 1:19 min | Vocal Music | - |
| 51 | The Defiled Sanctuary, for voice & piano | 2:45 min | Vocal Music | - |
| 52 | The Chimney Sweeper, for voice & piano | 2:54 min | Vocal Music | - |
| 53 | The blossom, for voice & piano | 0:57 min | Vocal Music | - |
| 54 | The Birds, for voice & piano | 3:42 min | Vocal Music | - |
| 55 | Take, O Take Those Lips Away, for voice & piano | 1:04 min | Vocal Music | - |
| 56 | Festal Dance for orchestra (piano) | 6:19 min | Orchestral | - |
| 57 | Night Ride of Faust and Mephistopheles, for orchestra (after Gounod's "Faust") | 5:21 min | Orchestral | - |
| 58 | Miniatures (4) for piano | 11:22 min | Keyboard | - |
| 59 | Love is a Merry Game, for voice & piano | 1:46 min | Vocal Music | - |
| 60 | Legend, for violin & piano | 6:20 min | Chamber Music | - |
| 61 | Lady Ellayne, for voice & piano | 1:53 min | Vocal Music | - |
| 62 | In Memoriam for orchestra | 19:27 min | Orchestral | - |
| 63 | Illuminations (3) for speaker & piano | 7:20 min | Miscellaneous (Classical) | - |
| 64 | Illuminations (3) for solo piano | 5:31 min | Keyboard | - |
| 65 | Gretchen am Spinnrade, for voice & piano | 4:34 min | Vocal Music | - |
| 66 | For Valor, for organ & orchestra | 13:19 min | Keyboard | - |
| 67 | On Parting, for voice & piano | 2:06 min | Vocal Music | - |
| 68 | Farewell, for voice & piano | 4:42 min | Vocal Music | - |
| 69 | Fantastic Variations on an Old Rhyme for organ | 11:58 min | Keyboard | - |
| 70 | Double Fugue for piano in E flat major | 15:25 min | Keyboard | - |
| 71 | Doctor Merryheart | 15:47 min | Orchestral | - |
| 72 | Der König in Thule, for voice & piano | 3:52 min | Vocal Music | - |
| 73 | Dear Adonis, for voice & piano | 5:29 min | Vocal Music | - |
| 74 | Concerto for violin & orchestra | 35:53 min | Concerto | - |
| 75 | Care-Charmer Sleep, for voice & piano | 4:32 min | Vocal Music | - |
| 76 | Burlesque Variations on an Original Theme | 28:55 min | Orchestral | - |
| 77 | A Turandot Suite, for orchestra | 22:07 min | Orchestral | - |
| 78 | Symphonic Variations on "Has Anybody Here Seen Kelly?", for orchestra | 12:14 min | Orchestral | - |
| 79 | Symphony No. 12 | 11:01 min | Symphony | - |
| 80 | Symphony No. 11 | 24:33 min | Symphony | - |
| 81 | Symphony No. 10 in C minor | 16:15 min | Symphony | - |
| 82 | Symphony No. 9 in A minor | 27:34 min | Symphony | - |
| 83 | Symphony No. 7 in C | 40:23 min | Symphony | - |
| 84 | Symphony No. 6, "Sinfonia tragica" | 19:50 min | Symphony | - |
| 85 | Symphony No. 4 for soprano, chorus & orchestra, "Das Siegeslied" | 49:47 min | Choral | - |
| 86 | Symphony No. 3 in C sharp minor | 55:02 min | Symphony | - |
| 87 | Symphony No. 2 in E minor | 53:18 min | Symphony | - |
| 88 | Symphony No. 1 in D minor for soloists, chorus, brass bands & orchestra, "The Gothic" | 107:22 min | Orchestral | - |
| 89 | Symphony No. 13 in C major | 16:09 min | Symphony | - |
| 90 | Sorrow Song, for voice & piano | 3:52 min | Vocal Music | - |
| 91 | Soliloquy Upon a Dead Child, song for voice & piano, Op. 13a | 5:29 min | Vocal Music | - |
| 92 | Since Love is Dead, for voice & piano | 2:42 min | Vocal Music | - |
| 93 | Renunciation, for voice & piano | 3:33 min | Vocal Music | - |
| 94 | Preludio tragico, for orchestra (from The Cenci) | 13:42 min | Orchestral | - |
| 95 | Prelude and Fugue for piano in D minor/major | 9:31 min | Keyboard | - |
| 96 | Prelude and Fugue for piano in C minor | 10:22 min | Keyboard | - |
| 97 | Prelude "John Dowland's Fancy," for piano | 3:07 min | Keyboard | - |
| 98 | Piping Down the Valleys Wild, for voice & piano | 2:03 min | Vocal Music | - |
| 99 | Pieces (3) from "Turandot", for orchestra (after Puccini) | 17:17 min | Orchestral | - |
Albums featuring Havergal Brian
| # | Сover | Name album | Year | Music label |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  |
Havergal Brian, Orchestra And Chorus Of English National Opera, Martyn Brabbins – Faust | 2021 | Dutton Epoch |
| 2 |  |
In Memoriam / Gothic Symphony Part 1(CD, Album, Stereo) | 2020 | Héritage |
| 3 |  |
Havergal Brian, New Russia State Symphony Orchestra, Alexander Walker (3) – Symphonies Nos. 7 And 16(CD, Album) | 2019 | Naxos |
| 4 |  |
Havergal Brian – New Russia State Symphony Orchestra, Alexander Walker (3) – Symphonies Nos. 8, 21 And 26(CD, ) | 2017 | Naxos |
| 5 |  |
Symphony No. 2 / Symphony No. 14(SACD, Hybrid, Stereo, Album) | 2016 | Dutton Epoch |
| 6 |  |
Havergal Brian, Roderick Williams (3), Royal Scottish National Orchestra, Martyn Brabbins – Symphony No. 5 "Wine Of Summer" / Symphony No. 19 / Symphony No. 27 / Festival Dance(SACD, Hybrid, Stereo) | 2015 | Dutton Epoch |
| 7 |  |
Havergal Brian – New Russia State Symphony Orchestra, Alexander Walker (3) – Symphonies Nos. 6, 28, 29 and 31(CD, ) | 2015 | Naxos |
| 8 |  |
Havergal Brian, Michelle Walton, Mark Stone (10), Sholto Kynoch – The Complete Havergal Brian Songbook │Volume 2(CD, Album) | 2014 | Stone Records (16) |
| 9 |  |
Havergal Brian, Peter Hill (2) – The Complete Music For Piano(CD, Album) | 2013 | Cameo Classics (3) |
| 10 |  |
Havergal Brian – New Russia State Symphony Orchestra, Alexander Walker (3) – Symphonies Nos. 22, 23 And 24 / English Suite No. 1(CD, Album) | 2013 | Naxos |
| 11 |  |
Havergal Brian - Mark Stone (10), Jonathan Stone (4), Sholto Kynoch – The Complete Havergal Brian Songbook │Volume 1(CD, Album) | 2012 | Stone Records (16) |
| 12 |  |
Havergal Brian, Arnold Cooke, Myer Fredman, Nicholas Braithwaite, The London Philharmonic Orchestra – Havergal Brian: Symphonies 6 & 16 / Arnold Cooke: Symphony No. 3(CDr, CD-ROM, Compilation, Reissue, Remastered, Stereo) | 2011 | Lyrita Recorded Edition |
| 13 |  |
Havergal Brian - BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra, Garry Walker – Orchestral Music Volume Two (Music From The Operas)(CD, Album) | 2011 | Toccata Classics |
| 14 |  |
Havergal Brian - BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra, Garry Walker – Orchestral Music Volume One (Early And Late Works)(CD, Album) | 2011 | Toccata Classics |
| 15 |  |
York Bowen, Alan Bush, Havergal Brian – Cello Concertos(2×CD, Album) | 2011 | Dutton Epoch |
| 16 |  |
Havergal Brian, Royal Scottish National Orchestra, Martyn Brabbins – Symphonies Nos. 10 & 30 / Concerto For Orchestra / English Suite No. 3(CD, Album) | 2011 | Dutton Epoch |
| 17 |  |
Havergal Brian, Martyn Brabbins – The Gothic Symphony | 2011 | Hyperion |
| 18 |  |
Havergal Brian Live Studio Broadcasts(CD, Mono) | 2010 | Dutton |
| 19 |  |
Havergal Brian - Sir Adrian Boult – Gothic Symphony | 2009 | Aries Records (7) |
| 20 |  |
Havergal Brian - Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra, Sir Charles Mackerras, Sir Charles Groves – Symphonies Nos. 7-9 & 31, The Tinker's Wedding(2×CD, Compilation) | 2002 | EMI Classics |
| 21 |  |
Havergal Brian, National Symphony Orchestra Of Ireland, Tony Rowe (2), Adrian Leaper – Symphonies Nos. 11 & 15 • Doctor Merryheart • For Valour | 2000 | Marco Polo |
| 22 |  |
Havergal Brian, Raymond Clarke (2) – The Complete Piano Music(CD, Album) | 1997 | Athene Records |
| 23 |  |
Havergal Brian, Moscow Symphony Orchestra, Tony Rowe (2) – Symphony 2, Festival Fanfare | 1996 | Marco Polo |
| 24 |  |
Havergal Brian - National Symphony Orchestra Of Ukraine, Andrew Penny – Symphonies Nos. 20 And 25 - Fantastic Variations On An Old Rhyme | 1995 | Marco Polo |
| 25 |  |
Havergal Brian - Geoffrey Heald-Smith / Hull Youth Symphony Orchestra – The Orchestral Works Of Havergal Brian(2×CD, Album, Reissue) | 1994 | Campion Records |
| 26 |  |
Havergal Brian, Marat Bisengaliev, BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra, Lionel Friend – Violin Concerto • Symphony No 18 • The Jolly Miller (Overture) | 1993 | Marco Polo |
| 27 |  |
Symphony No. 4 'Das Siegeslied' (Psalm Of Victory) / Symphony No. 12 | 1992 | Marco Polo |
| 28 |  |
Havergal Brian, National Symphony Orchestra Of Ireland, Adrian Leaper – Symphonies Nos 17 And 32 • In Memoriam • Festal Dance | 1992 | Marco Polo |
| 29 |  |
Havergal Brian, CSR Symphony (Bratislava), Slovak Philharmonic, Ondrej Lenard – Symphony No. 1 "Gothic" | 1990 | Marco Polo |
| 30 |  |
Havergal Brian, James Loughran, Eric Pinkett, Leicestershire Schools Symphony Orchestra – Symphonies Nos 10 & 21(CD, Stereo) | 1990 | Unicorn-Kanchana |
| 31 |  |
Havergal Brian - BBC Symphony Orchestra, Lionel Friend – Symphony No 3 | 1989 | Hyperion |
| 32 |  |
Havergal Brian, Sir Charles Mackerras, Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra – Symphony No. 7 / Symphony No. 31 / Comedy Overture: The Tinker's Wedding | 1988 | EMI Digital |
| 33 |  |
Songs | 1983 | Auracle Records |
| 34 |  |
Alan Rawsthorne, Sir William Walton, Havergal Brian, Malcolm Arnold – English Music For Violin And Piano(LP, Stereo) | 1982 | Auracle Records |
| 35 |  |
Luxembourg Radio Symphony Orchestra, Leopold Hager, Hubert Parry / Havergal Brian / John Foulds – Masters Of The English Musical Renaissance(3×LP, Box Set, ) | 1981 | Forlane |
| 36 |  |
Havergal Brian / Saint Nicholas Singers / Alan Smith (15) / Geoffrey Heald-Smith / Hull Youth Symphony Orchestra Leader: Catherine Capraro – Havergal Brian Orchestral Works Volume 3: Burlesque Variations On An Original Theme, Requiem For The Rose, The Hag | 1981 | Cameo Classics (2) |
| 37 |  |
Havergal Brian - Geoffrey Heald-Smith / Hull Youth Symphony Orchestra Leader James Gerrard – Havergal Brian Orchestral Works Volume 2: In Memoriam - For Valour - Festal Dance(LP) | 1980 | Cameo Classics (2) |
| 38 |  |
Havergal Brian - Geoffrey Heald-Smith / Hull Youth Symphony Orchestra – Doctor Merryheart - Fantastic Variations On An Old Rhyme - English Suite No.1(LP, Album) | 1979 | Cameo Classics (2) |
| 39 |  |
Havergal Brian / Sir Charles Groves / Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra – Symphony No. 8 • Symphony No. 9 | 1978 | EMI |
| 40 |  |
Symphony No.22 / Psalm 23 / English Suite No.5(LP, Album) | 1975 | CBS |
| 41 |  |
Havergal Brian, London Philharmonic Orchestra, Myer Fredman – Symphony 6 (Sinfonia Tragica) / Symphony 16 | 1975 | Lyrita Recorded Edition |
| 42 |  |
Symphony No.10; Symphony No. 21 | 1973 | Unicorn Records (3) |
| 43 |  |
Havergal Brian, Peter Michaels, Lisbon Symphony Orchestra – Symphony No. 3(LP, Album, Stereo) | - | Aries Records (7) |
| 44 |  |
Havergal Brian, Ernest Weir, Dresden Symphony Orchestra – Symphony No.2(LP) | - | Aries Records (7) |
| 45 |  |
Symphony No. 5 "The Wind Of Summer", Symphony No. 25(LP) | - | Aries Records (7) |
| 46 |  |
Havergal Brian, Sir Allistair MacKenzie, Edinburgh Youth Symphony And Chorus, Valerie MacLennan – Symphony No. 4(LP) | - | Aries Records (7) |
| 47 |  |
Havergal Brian, Wales Symphony Orchestra Conducted By Colin Wilson (13) – Symphonies No. 9, 12, 23(LP) | - | Aries Records (7) |
| 48 |  |
Symphonies(3×LP, Compilation, Box Set, ) | - | Aries Records (7) |
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