BritSymphCup
@britsymphcup.bsky.social
Originally, World Cup of 500 British & Irish symphonies. From Jan 2025 #britsymphyear, tweet a day exploring 20/21C British/Irish classical music. Playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/7BWeL8ZjWAQ4L1aPdtOGOK?si=kBxDnR42SwGZnHv0dfua4Q&pi=RQ5cU2bVSVGcA
Died #OTD in 2023, Irish composer & teacher, Seóirse Bodley. His orchestral work A Small White Cloud Drifts Over Ireland was premiered in Dublin on 5 January 1976, by the RTÉ Symphony Orchestra under Proinnsías Ó Duinn. open.spotify.com/track/5A9v5L... #britsymphyear
Spotify – Web Player
open.spotify.com
November 17, 2025 at 7:01 AM
Died #OTD in 2023, Irish composer & teacher, Seóirse Bodley. His orchestral work A Small White Cloud Drifts Over Ireland was premiered in Dublin on 5 January 1976, by the RTÉ Symphony Orchestra under Proinnsías Ó Duinn. open.spotify.com/track/5A9v5L... #britsymphyear
Died #OTD in 2006, English composer, John Veale. His 1984 Violin Concerto was premiered in a 1986 BBC broadcast by Erich Gruenberg with the BBC Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Edward Downes. open.spotify.com/track/4SES2I... #britsymphyear
Violin Concerto: I. Moderato - Allegro
open.spotify.com
November 16, 2025 at 8:24 AM
Died #OTD in 2006, English composer, John Veale. His 1984 Violin Concerto was premiered in a 1986 BBC broadcast by Erich Gruenberg with the BBC Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Edward Downes. open.spotify.com/track/4SES2I... #britsymphyear
Reposted by BritSymphCup
First I’ve listened to Bishop Rock. If you had told me that this was from a John Williams’ score from the 1980s, I would not have questioned it.
Also, this is beautiful work. Thank you for introducing me to Ms. Carwithen.
Also, this is beautiful work. Thank you for introducing me to Ms. Carwithen.
November 15, 2025 at 1:45 PM
First I’ve listened to Bishop Rock. If you had told me that this was from a John Williams’ score from the 1980s, I would not have questioned it.
Also, this is beautiful work. Thank you for introducing me to Ms. Carwithen.
Also, this is beautiful work. Thank you for introducing me to Ms. Carwithen.
Born #OTD in 1922, English composer, Doreen Carwithen. Her Concerto for Piano & Strings was premiered at the BBC Proms on 25 August 1952 at the Royal Albert Hall, with Iris Loveridge as soloist and London Symphony Orchestra conducted by Trevor Harvey. open.spotify.com/track/4tPCV5... #britsymphyear
Concerto for Piano and Strings: I. Allegro assai
open.spotify.com
November 15, 2025 at 7:34 AM
Born #OTD in 1922, English composer, Doreen Carwithen. Her Concerto for Piano & Strings was premiered at the BBC Proms on 25 August 1952 at the Royal Albert Hall, with Iris Loveridge as soloist and London Symphony Orchestra conducted by Trevor Harvey. open.spotify.com/track/4tPCV5... #britsymphyear
Reposted by BritSymphCup
Next week I am performing her beautiful Ballade for viola & piano with Jenny Lewisohn with works by Freda Swain and Rebecca Clarke
November 14, 2025 at 11:54 AM
Next week I am performing her beautiful Ballade for viola & piano with Jenny Lewisohn with works by Freda Swain and Rebecca Clarke
Died #OTD in 1999, English composer, Minna Keal. Her Cello Concerto was premiered at Snape Maltings in 1994 by Alexander Baillie, City of London Sinfonia & Richard Hickox. open.spotify.com/track/0108HF... #britsymphyear
Cello Concerto: I. Maestoso
open.spotify.com
November 14, 2025 at 7:07 AM
Died #OTD in 1999, English composer, Minna Keal. Her Cello Concerto was premiered at Snape Maltings in 1994 by Alexander Baillie, City of London Sinfonia & Richard Hickox. open.spotify.com/track/0108HF... #britsymphyear
Born #OTD in 1885, English composer & pianist, Montague Phillips. His Piano Concerto No 2 in E major was premiered at the Proms on 9 September 1920 at Queen’s Hall, London, with William G. James as soloist & the composer conducting. open.spotify.com/track/1CNfSV... #britsymphyear
Spotify – Web Player
open.spotify.com
November 13, 2025 at 7:38 AM
Born #OTD in 1885, English composer & pianist, Montague Phillips. His Piano Concerto No 2 in E major was premiered at the Proms on 9 September 1920 at Queen’s Hall, London, with William G. James as soloist & the composer conducting. open.spotify.com/track/1CNfSV... #britsymphyear
Reposted by BritSymphCup
I recently wrote about Maconchy's v fine Serenata Concertante for BBC NOW (worth remembering BBC orchestras/Singers in discussions about the organisation's future). The violinist who premiered and recorded the work was Manoug Parikian (hi @levparikian.bsky.social)
www.youtube.com/watch?v=fegz...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=fegz...
November 12, 2025 at 8:57 AM
I recently wrote about Maconchy's v fine Serenata Concertante for BBC NOW (worth remembering BBC orchestras/Singers in discussions about the organisation's future). The violinist who premiered and recorded the work was Manoug Parikian (hi @levparikian.bsky.social)
www.youtube.com/watch?v=fegz...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=fegz...
Died #OTD in 1994, English-Irish composer, Elizabeth Maconchy. Her Music for Strings was premiered at the 1983 BBC Proms by the BBC Philharmonic Orchestra under Edward Downes. open.spotify.com/track/1kWVlr... #britsymphyear
Music for Strings: I. Molto moderato
open.spotify.com
November 12, 2025 at 7:15 AM
Died #OTD in 1994, English-Irish composer, Elizabeth Maconchy. Her Music for Strings was premiered at the 1983 BBC Proms by the BBC Philharmonic Orchestra under Edward Downes. open.spotify.com/track/1kWVlr... #britsymphyear
Premiered #OTD in 1906, the opera The Wreckers by English composer & conductor, Ethel Smyth. It was given at the Neues Theater in Leipzig under its German title, Strandrecht. open.spotify.com/track/63zeHm... #britsymphyear
The Wreckers: Overture
open.spotify.com
November 11, 2025 at 8:17 AM
Premiered #OTD in 1906, the opera The Wreckers by English composer & conductor, Ethel Smyth. It was given at the Neues Theater in Leipzig under its German title, Strandrecht. open.spotify.com/track/63zeHm... #britsymphyear
Reposted by BritSymphCup
I see there was also an earlier 1st private performance at 1910 Gloucester 3 Choirs, Elgar piano Reed violin though some say Kreisler. seenandheard-international.com/2023/07/elec...
Electrifying Elgar sets the seal on a memorable evening at the Three Choirs Festival – Seen and Heard International
seenandheard-international.com
November 10, 2025 at 9:11 AM
I see there was also an earlier 1st private performance at 1910 Gloucester 3 Choirs, Elgar piano Reed violin though some say Kreisler. seenandheard-international.com/2023/07/elec...
Premiered #OTD in 1910, the Violin Concerto in B minor, by English composer & conductor, Edward Elgar.
It was launched at Queen’s Hall, London, with Fritz Kreisler as soloist & Elgar conducting the London Symphony Orchestra. open.spotify.com/track/3oGLl2... #britsymphyear
It was launched at Queen’s Hall, London, with Fritz Kreisler as soloist & Elgar conducting the London Symphony Orchestra. open.spotify.com/track/3oGLl2... #britsymphyear
Elgar: Violin Concerto in B Minor, Op. 61: I. Allegro
open.spotify.com
November 10, 2025 at 7:06 AM
Premiered #OTD in 1910, the Violin Concerto in B minor, by English composer & conductor, Edward Elgar.
It was launched at Queen’s Hall, London, with Fritz Kreisler as soloist & Elgar conducting the London Symphony Orchestra. open.spotify.com/track/3oGLl2... #britsymphyear
It was launched at Queen’s Hall, London, with Fritz Kreisler as soloist & Elgar conducting the London Symphony Orchestra. open.spotify.com/track/3oGLl2... #britsymphyear
Premiered #OTD in 2010, the saxophone quartet work, Lunar Seas, by Welsh composer, Christopher Painter. The first performance took place at Lampeter University, with the Lunar Saxophone Quartet. open.spotify.com/track/3EIx9u... #britsymphyear
Lunar Seas: I Lacus Gaudii (Lake of Joy)
open.spotify.com
November 9, 2025 at 7:30 AM
Premiered #OTD in 2010, the saxophone quartet work, Lunar Seas, by Welsh composer, Christopher Painter. The first performance took place at Lampeter University, with the Lunar Saxophone Quartet. open.spotify.com/track/3EIx9u... #britsymphyear
Reposted by BritSymphCup
The first complete recording of the compelling songs of British composer, Rebecca Clarke (1886-1979) [1979!!]
Given a great write up here:
www.theguardian.com/music/2025/n...
Given a great write up here:
www.theguardian.com/music/2025/n...
Rebecca Clarke: The Complete Songs album review – rich, radiant performances bring a forgotten voice to life
A superb survey of Clarke’s lyrical, long-overlooked songs reveals a composer of depth and drama
www.theguardian.com
November 7, 2025 at 9:04 PM
The first complete recording of the compelling songs of British composer, Rebecca Clarke (1886-1979) [1979!!]
Given a great write up here:
www.theguardian.com/music/2025/n...
Given a great write up here:
www.theguardian.com/music/2025/n...
Born #OTD in 1938, English composer, Richard Stoker. His Clarinet Sonatina (recorded as Sonata) was premiered on BBC Radio 3 in 1980, by clarinettist Einar Jóhannesson & pianist Philip Jenkins. open.spotify.com/track/1DJ5a4... #britsymphyear
Sonata for Clarinet and Piano, Op. 5: I. Allegretto
open.spotify.com
November 8, 2025 at 8:04 AM
Born #OTD in 1938, English composer, Richard Stoker. His Clarinet Sonatina (recorded as Sonata) was premiered on BBC Radio 3 in 1980, by clarinettist Einar Jóhannesson & pianist Philip Jenkins. open.spotify.com/track/1DJ5a4... #britsymphyear
Born #OTD in 1959, Welsh composer, Richard Barrett. His work, Dark Matter, was premiered in November 2001 in Brisbane by the combined forces of ELISION & Cikada, conducted by Christian Eggen. open.spotify.com/album/7sHDdC... #britsymphyear
Barrett: Dark Matter
open.spotify.com
November 7, 2025 at 7:10 AM
Born #OTD in 1959, Welsh composer, Richard Barrett. His work, Dark Matter, was premiered in November 2001 in Brisbane by the combined forces of ELISION & Cikada, conducted by Christian Eggen. open.spotify.com/album/7sHDdC... #britsymphyear
Premiered #OTD in 1935, the Symphony No 1 in Bb minor by English composer, William Walton. It launched at Queen’s Hall, London with Hamilton Harty & the BBC Symphony Orchestra. open.spotify.com/track/6uAQin... #britsymphyear
Symphony No. 1 in B-Flat Minor: I. Allegro assai
open.spotify.com
November 6, 2025 at 8:10 AM
Premiered #OTD in 1935, the Symphony No 1 in Bb minor by English composer, William Walton. It launched at Queen’s Hall, London with Hamilton Harty & the BBC Symphony Orchestra. open.spotify.com/track/6uAQin... #britsymphyear
Born #OTD in 1971, English composer & guitarist, Jonny Greenwood. His orchestral work, Water, was premiered in October 2014 at the National Concert Hall in Dublin, by the Australian Chamber Orchestra under the direction of Richard Tognetti. open.spotify.com/track/4rKziJ... #britsymphyear
Water - Live At Concert Hall, Opera House, Sydney, 2014
open.spotify.com
November 5, 2025 at 6:59 AM
Born #OTD in 1971, English composer & guitarist, Jonny Greenwood. His orchestral work, Water, was premiered in October 2014 at the National Concert Hall in Dublin, by the Australian Chamber Orchestra under the direction of Richard Tognetti. open.spotify.com/track/4rKziJ... #britsymphyear
Reposted by BritSymphCup
In honour of his 119th birthday, Arnold Cooke's finest piece for recorder, an inspired partnering with violin, 'cello and harpsichord (piano in this recording, with the late Ross Winters on recorder). It has terrific invention and real emotional deph.
open.spotify.com/track/37ajDG...
open.spotify.com/track/37ajDG...
November 4, 2025 at 5:49 PM
In honour of his 119th birthday, Arnold Cooke's finest piece for recorder, an inspired partnering with violin, 'cello and harpsichord (piano in this recording, with the late Ross Winters on recorder). It has terrific invention and real emotional deph.
open.spotify.com/track/37ajDG...
open.spotify.com/track/37ajDG...
Born #OTD in 1906, English composer & teacher, Arnold Cooke. His Oboe Concerto (1954) was premiered by great British oboist Léon Goossens in 1954, with the Jacques String Orchestra conducted by Reginald Jacques. open.spotify.com/track/0jmvM2... #britsymphyear
Concerto for Oboe and Strings: I - Allegro moderato
open.spotify.com
November 4, 2025 at 7:54 AM
Born #OTD in 1906, English composer & teacher, Arnold Cooke. His Oboe Concerto (1954) was premiered by great British oboist Léon Goossens in 1954, with the Jacques String Orchestra conducted by Reginald Jacques. open.spotify.com/track/0jmvM2... #britsymphyear
Premiered #OTD in 1958, Havergal Brian’s Symphony No 10 in C minor (1953-4), It was luanched in a live BBC studio broadcast on 3 November 1958, conducted by Stanley Pope with the Philharmonia Orchestra. spotify.link/Nfx4cxWjZXb #britsymphyear
Symphony No.10 in C minor: Adagio e solenne - Adagio - Allegro con fuoco - Lento espressivo
spotify.link
November 3, 2025 at 7:01 AM
Premiered #OTD in 1958, Havergal Brian’s Symphony No 10 in C minor (1953-4), It was luanched in a live BBC studio broadcast on 3 November 1958, conducted by Stanley Pope with the Philharmonia Orchestra. spotify.link/Nfx4cxWjZXb #britsymphyear
Born #OTD in 1880 English composer & cellist, John Foulds. His choral-orchestral composition, A World Requiem,was premiered in the Royal Albert Hall, London on Armistice Night 1923. spotify.link/nIESY7jLXXb #britsymphyear
Foulds: A World Requiem, Op. 60
spotify.link
November 2, 2025 at 8:29 AM
Born #OTD in 1880 English composer & cellist, John Foulds. His choral-orchestral composition, A World Requiem,was premiered in the Royal Albert Hall, London on Armistice Night 1923. spotify.link/nIESY7jLXXb #britsymphyear
Born #OTD in 1934, Welsh composer & teacher, William Mathias. His Symphony No 2 (1983), subtitled Summer Music, was premiered in May 1983 at the Philharmonic Hall in Liverpool by the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra, conducted by Vernon Handley. spotify.link/2ybsiWU5VXb #britsymphyear
Symphony No. 2, Op. 90: I. Molto Moderato E Misterioso -Allegro
spotify.link
November 1, 2025 at 8:22 AM
Born #OTD in 1934, Welsh composer & teacher, William Mathias. His Symphony No 2 (1983), subtitled Summer Music, was premiered in May 1983 at the Philharmonic Hall in Liverpool by the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra, conducted by Vernon Handley. spotify.link/2ybsiWU5VXb #britsymphyear
Born #OTD in 1902, Englsh composer, Freda Swain. Her Piano Sonata No 1 'The Skerries' was composed between 1936 & 1937, & revised in 1945. spotify.link/vEDNevkvUXb #britsymphyear
Piano Sonata No. 1 "The Skerries": I. Vigoroso
spotify.link
October 31, 2025 at 9:21 AM
Born #OTD in 1902, Englsh composer, Freda Swain. Her Piano Sonata No 1 'The Skerries' was composed between 1936 & 1937, & revised in 1945. spotify.link/vEDNevkvUXb #britsymphyear
Born #OTD in 1905, English composer, Christian Darnton. His Piano Concertino (1948) was premiered in Durban in April 1949 by South African soloist, Adolf Hallis. spotify.link/RTZagRROSXb #britsymphyear
Piano Concertino in C Major: I. Allegro molto moderato
spotify.link
October 30, 2025 at 9:02 AM
Born #OTD in 1905, English composer, Christian Darnton. His Piano Concertino (1948) was premiered in Durban in April 1949 by South African soloist, Adolf Hallis. spotify.link/RTZagRROSXb #britsymphyear