COMPOSERS: Milner
LABELS: Claudio Contemporary
WORKS: Symphony No. 1, Op. 28; Variations for Orchestra, Op. 14
PERFORMER: BBC SO/Lionel Friend
CATALOGUE NO: (distr. Complete Record Co.) CC 4317-2 ADD (1984)
Both these fine works cry out for a revival. Anthony Milner’s Variations (15 ingenious permutations of a famous 15th-century melody) amount to a brilliant three-movement symphony based (Biber-like) on the ‘mysteries’ of the Catholic rosary; while the sustained tension, alluring solos (oboe, tuba, marimba), and orchestral fireworks of his First Symphony (compare Tippett’s Concerto for Orchestra) prove every bit as satisfying. Cracking performances, though there is one clumsy tape-splice and the CD rather underlines the thinnish original sound. Roderic Dunnett
Milner: Symphony No. 1, Op. 28; Variations for Orchestra, Op. 14
Both these fine works cry out for a revival. Anthony Milner’s Variations (15 ingenious permutations of a famous 15th-century melody) amount to a brilliant three-movement symphony based (Biber-like) on the ‘mysteries’ of the Catholic rosary; while the sustained tension, alluring solos (oboe, tuba, marimba), and orchestral fireworks of his First Symphony (compare Tippett’s Concerto for Orchestra) prove every bit as satisfying. Cracking performances, though there is one clumsy tape-splice and the CD rather underlines the thinnish original sound. Roderic Dunnett
Our rating
5
Published: January 20, 2012 at 2:31 pm