Symphony No. 3 'the Muses' / Piano Concerto No. 2; etc

"The warmest of welcomes for a remarkable discovery in 20th-century British music"
(Gramophone Editor's Choice June 2004)

"Cyril Scott (1879-1970), on the evidence of this splendid new recording under the prolific Martyn Brabbins, is a composer well deserving of Chandos's advocacy. A fellow student of Percy Grainger, Balfour Gardiner and Roger Quilter in Frankfurt, his music was performed by Henry Wood, Thomas Beecham and, much later, John Ogdon. It's a heady brew (think Scriabin, maybe) but with an appealing modernist pungency."
(Gramophone)

'All three pieces grow on one - Neptune is by any standards a powerful act of nature-evocation, and its turbulent seascape-mood is yet more effectively embodied in the Symphony's first movement (the later movements seem less motivated, and the finale's wordless chorus sounds and unnecessary addition to the fabric). These performances, in almost demonstration-class sound, are expert and committed. An important act of restitution…'
- BBC Music Magazine

'Scott's scoring is extravagant but lucid, his harmony sensuous and involving, and his structures are free but controlled… This is a CD of terrific music, it demands comprehensively met by the musicians and the recording.'
- International Record Review

The BBC Philharmonic presents music by Cyril Scott, a composer who already enjoys a strong cult following.

This unique programme explores orchestral music from Scott's middle period and features the premiere recording of Neptune and Symphony No. 3 The Muses.

Cyril Scott was an artist of immense standing amongst his contemporaries. Debussy wrote of him,'Cyril Scott is one of the rarest artists of the present generation…', and Elgar acknowledged Scott's influence in his treatment of harmony. His posthumous lack of popularity is unfathomable, for his music is highly appealing.

Martyn Brabbins is famous for his interpretations of British music, and has received excellent critical acclaim for his previous recordings of works by Bax, Clifford, Bainton and Gregson.

'Martyn Brabbins's charismatic approach makes one wonder why these impressive pieces have had to wait some 80 years for their premiere recording.'
The Independent on CHAN 10164 (Bax Choral Works)

'…two of the most rewarding concertos… written in the late 20th Century… beautifully played.'
Gramophone 'Editor's Choice' and 'Critic's Choice 2003' on CHAN 10105 (Gregson)

'Martyn Brabbins… secures a splendidly secure and committed response from the BBC Philharmonic…'
Gramophone 'Editor's Choice' on CHAN 10019 (Clifford/Bainton)

SELECTEED PREVIOUS RELEASES
Bax: Choral Works CHAN 10164
Clifford/Bainton: Orchestral Works,Vol. 2 CHAN 10019
Gregson: Orchestral Works CHAN 10105