Percy Whitlock: Symphony for Organ and Orchestra

[@tashaschneider1419]

Most beautiful and haunting music... love organs and orchestras, love the beautiful mind of Percy Whitlock!

[@davidgriffiths7215]

If any organ work is in need of a good modern recording this is it. It's a wonderful piece which I have known through the Francis Jackson version for many years. Despite the relatively poor sound this recording is streets ahead of the Jackson and a big thank you from me for making it available. Just think what Whitlock could have achieved if his lifelong poor health hadn't claimed him at the age of only 43.

[@richardsedding8444]

Fine orchestration and rich harmonies, Whitlock writes so sensitively to combine the organ and orchestra. This is a very subtle, beautifully constructed work.

[@davidvanrooyen4332]

Whitlock is one of my favourite composers ... rich harmonies and flowing melodies ... thank you for posting it. The 2015 recording is quite acceptable.

[@doctorfoster1968]

Thank you very much indeed for uploading this recording. Something I've wanted to hear for years but have never been able to find it. The piece should be much better known!

[@hectorbarrionuevo6034]

This music has some lyrical passages: one starting @ 10:29 and the Elegy. The scherzo and the final movements have some energetic, "magical" sections. The tonal language is completely accessible and placid. Enjoyed it.

[@TheodoreServin]

Gosh, this piece is absolutely beautiful. The elegy is so moving. I can't believe it just buried in a box in a library basement for around 50 years. If anyone knows where one can find the score, please let me know!

[@carolynboxmeyer7622]

Malcolm Riley, the biographer, is working on that now. Making parts from the score.

[@TheodoreServin]

@@carolynboxmeyer7622 That's amazing news, thank you so much for telling me this! Is there any projected date for publication?

[@tedwilks]

Fantastic acquisition and upload - a real treasure. Many thanks!! Ted

[@gardnersmith3580]

What a delightful symphony. Thanks for sharing it.

[@georgemurphy2579]

With the Horatio Parker Grand Sonata, and now this work from a fresh, light-hearted and profoundly-beautiful composer, it is nice to know that there are more options in this area. The big three, Handel concertos and Mozart church sonatas are wonderful, but we need more of this, too.

[@daveluttinen2547]

This is my first hearing of this piece and I am completely gobsmacked. This is beauty in every way. What brilliance in orchestration and musicality - I should like to hear this live. Is the music in print?

[@jksteven1]

That I can't say. But many have alluded to its worthiness of being commercially recorded. Thank you for your comment!

[@willemvantwillert-organist]

Delighted music indeed

[@josealexandre6632]

Whoever gets a horse as a gift does not inspect its teeth ....(old saying of Portugal). Sound may not be perfect but is quite reasonable and enjoyable. Thank you. .

[@jksteven1]

Thank you for your comment!

[@josealexandre6632]

You´re most welcome. Certain comments are as apalling as unfair. Keep doing such a good work and again, thank you.

[@fjfb1001]

We have the same expression: never look a gift horse in the mouth. You're quite right!

[@ヨコシマクロ-u5c]

作曲家の名前も曲も初めて聞いたけど、とても素晴らしい作品だと思います｡　知られていないのが不思議?

[@gerhardg5186]

Is there ANY possibility that you could unearth a version with better sound than this one? The recording is obviously well done.

[@jetenza2434]

Where can I buy the orchestra score of this piece?

[@LJBSasha]

Pity that this recording is so poor - it seems like it was taken from a radio broadcast. Definite pity as this piece really seems (on a first hearing) to merit better.

[@jksteven1]

LJBSasha No argument from me. Hopefully someone will get the idea. Wonderful work, but like many forgotten pieces, it exists apparently only on this recording of the broadcast most likely made by a listener on a home tape machine.

[@LJBSasha]

***** Yes, you're right indeed: better something than nothing. Hopefully other people will indeed take a look at this piece and give it a chance. If somebody could check if the BBC has a recording of this broadcast: surely the quality from that source would still be better...

[@jksteven1]

LJBSasha Also, it appears that Lyrita recordings is issuing some BBC broadcasts on CD. The BBC is notorious for keeping their archives sealed, but a note to Lyrita might at lease be a first step.