Havergal Brian.

[J.Z. Herrenberg]

Just in:

'Brian's final opera, Agamemnon will be released on the Hyperion label on 28th March 2025. The CD will also contain symphonies 6 Sinfonia Tragica and no. 12. The performers will be members of the English National Opera conducted by our President, Martyn Brabbins' (HBS Newsletter 285)

[Albion]

Just in:

'Brian's final opera, Agamemnon will be released on the Hyperion label on 28th March 2025. The CD will also contain symphonies 6 Sinfonia Tragica and no. 12. The performers will be members of the English National Opera conducted by our President, Martyn Brabbins' (HBS Newsletter 285)

Wow! Thanks for the heads-up, great to see that Hyperion's enterprise is not dead in spite of the rumours...

[relm1]

Just in:

'Brian's final opera, Agamemnon will be released on the Hyperion label on 28th March 2025. The CD will also contain symphonies 6 Sinfonia Tragica and no. 12. The performers will be members of the English National Opera conducted by our President, Martyn Brabbins' (HBS Newsletter 285)

Are there any remaining operas that haven't been recorded after Agamemnon's release?

[Augustus]

Are there any remaining operas that haven't been recorded after Agamemnon's release?

There remains the opera Turandot, though substantial orchestral excerpts from that have already been issued on Toccata Classics.  The complete work is probably about 2hrs 30m in duration and is, apart from any re-orchestration of the vocal score of the lost 'By the Waters of Babylon', the only extant Brian work left to be recorded.  All the part songs are recorded and will soon be available on Toccata Classics.  We are lucky to be approaching 'total Brian' as regards recordings, though we can always hope for better recordings of some works to come along.  Personally, I would love to see a modern recording of the Third Symphony, perhaps under Martyn Brabbins.

[Maestro267]

If anything, I'd say the Fourth Symphony needs a better recording with at least a better soloist. At least the Third already has two serviceable recordings.

[Albion]

Just in:

'Brian's final opera, Agamemnon will be released on the Hyperion label on 28th March 2025. The CD will also contain symphonies 6 Sinfonia Tragica and no. 12. The performers will be members of the English National Opera conducted by our President, Martyn Brabbins' (HBS Newsletter 285)

Typical of Hyperion's high standards, here is the attractive and eye-catching cover art:



 

[foxandpeng]

Typical of Hyperion's high standards, here is the attractive and eye-catching cover art:



 

Great cover

[Maestro267]

I saw that and first thought it was a cover from the 70s.

[Roasted Swan]

Typical of Hyperion's high standards, here is the attractive and eye-catching cover art:



 

I hope I am proved wrong but I wonder if this is going to be one of the last 'big' projects for Hyperion?  Brabbins has resigned from ENO over the cuts to the orchestra and chorus/suggested move away from London and Hyperion's release schedule since their sale last year has notably had far fewer big orchestral recordings featured than in the past...... (there might be some recordings 'in the can' but not yet released I guess but as far as brand new projects are concerned.......)

[Klaatu]

Delighted to find this LIVE performance of The Gothic on YouTube- it's the 2011 Curro version in Australia. Apologies if this has already been flagged up - it was posted 5 months ago and I've only just spotted it.

https://youtu.be/b8XKRAAYr_k?si=uHA0fV1BAIZU-YFR

[Roasted Swan]

Delighted to find this LIVE performance of The Gothic on YouTube- it's the 2011 Curro version in Australia. Apologies if this has already been flagged up - it was posted 5 months ago and I've only just spotted it.

https://youtu.be/b8XKRAAYr_k?si=uHA0fV1BAIZU-YFR

Great find - the choir have a bit of a struggle!!