David Hackbridge Johnson: Orchestral Music, Volume Two
This second volume of the orchestral music of the English composer David Hackbridge Johnson (b. 1963) brings two mighty symphonies: the dark and tragic No. 10 (2013), cast in a single monumental span, and the three-movement No. 13 (2017), a fierce and fiery affirmation of life. They are complemented here by an orchestral ‘motet’ which passes plainchant in kaleidoscopic review.
Royal Scottish National Orchestra
Paul Mann, conductor
Listen To This Recording:
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Symphony No. 10, Op. 312, No. 1 (2013)
- I Preludio tragico: Molto moderato –
- II Marche funebre: Lento –
- III Scherzo spettrale: Presto –
- IV Epilogue: Mesto
- Lento
- I Allegro con brio
- II Poco lento
- III Allegro alla burlesca
Motet No. 6, Benedicite maria et flumina, Op. 337, No. 4 (2015)
Symphony No. 13 Op. 361 No. 1 (2017)
FIRST RECORDINGS
Gramophone :
‘The performances from the Royal Scottish National Orchestra (who seem to be enjoying something of a golden age of recording presently) under the excellent Paul Mann are wonderfully virtuoso, with some brilliant brass-playing and tremendous ensemble all round. With the meditative, refined orchestral Sixth Motet (2017) as filler and first-rate sound, do yourself a favour: buy this disc!’
—Guy Rickards, Gramophone
Classical Source :
‘It has been worth it because of what Johnson’s music conveys to the attentive listener. It is gorgeously rich, fastidious and powerful: everything within it is perfectly imagined. It is truly remarkable that so refined an ear, occasionally exhibiting influences from composers who are more interested in ‘texture’ than in living musical thinking, should yet be capable of creating works with massive and original structures, consistently composing without any immediate prospect of performance and driven by a natural inner creative urge that will not be gainsaid. When Johnson is at his best – as in the three recorded Symphonies – he achieves so much more than those simplistic composers.
The Symphonies recorded to date – 9, 10 and 13 – are outstanding works of art. In parts of the Tenth and Thirteenth (composed respectively in 2013 and 2017) we encounter passages of great cumulative strength which no other living composer in my experience can approach. There are a number of subtle and refined passages in both Symphonies which these magnificently committed performances reveal as inevitable musical sequences. But the essential characteristic which runs throughout both works is a genuine creative spontaneity, carrying the listener forward at all times. […]
the Scherzo [of the 10th symphony], in particular, is the product of a fabulous creative imagination. Hackbridge Johnson’s experience as an orchestral player underpins his orchestration, at times searingly virtuosic, but is always practical and placed at the service of the music. […]
The utter originality of the closing pages [of the 13th symphony] drew my astonished admiration. […]
The recording quality and presentation of this release are excellent. I understand a third volume of Johnson’s orchestral music is underway. I, for one (amongst many, I hope), cannot wait.’
—Robert Matthew-Walker, Classical Source
Classical Source :
‘I am becoming quite a fan of David Hackbridge Johnson’s music, the second volume of his Symphonies, 10 & 13, every bit as enlightening as the launch release, Symphony 9.’
—Colin Anderson, Classical Source