HAVERGAL BRIAN (1876-1972): Symphony No. 2 in E Minor, Symphony No. 14 in F Minor (World Premiere Recording).

Description: The mighty Second may not be a first recording but it’ll sound like one, lithe and athletic, cutting almost seven minutes off the 54-minute rehearse-and-record Marco Polo release of 1998, and providing a wide and deep sound picture. The 14th of 1959-60 is one of a group of symphonies in which Brian began the move toward more terse and concentrated expression; still using a big orchestra, it’s over 21 minutes long (its fraternal single-movement symphonies average around 16) and its error-strewn score (the notes tell of almost 500 “inconsistencies and incongruities”) partially explain why it has never been recorded commercialy until now. Royal Scottish National Orchestra;  Martyn Brabbins.