Opus 86
Symphony No 1
Written in 1932 by Cyril Bradley Rootham (CBR), this first symphony is a vigorous work written by a composer who had already produced many choral works and a three-act opera.
Outline of this work
Opus 86 "Symphony No 1 in C minor" was composed in 1932, when the composer was at the height of his creative powers. The holograph manuscript is in the Library of St John's College, Cambridge.
The work consists of four movements:
- Movement 1: Adagio - Allegro ritmico
- Movement 2: Adagio molto (alla marcia)
- Movement 3: Scherzo Allegro molto
- Movement 4: Allegro con spirito
Duration
This performance is probably authentic in its tempi, because the composer's son Jasper Rootham cooperated closely with Vernon Handley in preparing for the recording.
The total duration is just over 31 minutes, and the timings of the four movements are:
- Movement 1: 7:45
- Movement 2: 8:40
- Movement 3: 7:08
- Movement 4: 7:24
Publication status
CBR's First Symphony has never yet been published. But we are planning to typeset the work, probably in 2019 or 2020.
Acknowledgement
By permission of the Master and Fellows of St John's College, Cambridge
We are very grateful to St John's College for allowing us to consult the original manuscript, thus enabling us to plan an authentic and scholarly edition in the future.
This performance
This recording features the London Philharmonic Orchestra, conducted by Vernon Handley. The recording was made in September 1976 in Henry Wood Hall, London, and is available on the Lyrita label (SRCD.269).
Vernon Handley
(1930-2008)
Conductor of this recording
Jasper Rootham
(1910-1990)
Son of the composer
Jasper Rootham and Tod Handley cooperated in recording two other major works by Cyril Rootham: Op.81 "Ode on the Morning of Christ's Nativity" and Op.97 "Symphony No 2 in D major".
Historical note
CBR's "Symphony No 1 in C major" was first broadcast on 30 October 1936 in a performance by the BBC Orchestra, conducted (for this work only) by the composer.