Moeran: Sinfonietta, Symphony in G Minor & Overture for a Masque London Philharmonic Orchestra, London Symphony Orchestra & Sir Adrian Boult

• Ernest John Moeran (1894 - 1950): Sinfonietta:
• 1 Sinfonietta: I. Allegro 06:42
• 2 Sinfonietta: II. Theme & Variations 09:50
• 3 Sinfonietta: III. Allegro risoluto 07:19
• Symphony in G Minor:
• 4 Symphony in G Minor: I. Allegro 13:23
• 5 Symphony in G Minor: II. Lento 11:25
• 6 Symphony in G Minor: III. Vivace 04:32
• 7 Symphony in G Minor: IV. Lento - Allegro molto 15:04
• Overture for a Masque:
• 8 Overture for a Masque 10:36
• Total Runtime 01:18:51

Info for Moeran: Sinfonietta, Symphony in G Minor & Overture for a Masque

Ernest John Moeran (1894-1950) was born in London and studied at the Royal College of Music, and later under John Ireland. A man of piercing intellect and originality, he was essentially a miniaturist who nevertheless produced some outstanding larger works, like those on this classic recording. Moeran was found dead in the River Kenmare in 1950, a victim of heart failure, and his music seemed soon after to pass into oblivion; however in recent years it has enjoyed a great revival of reputation and there have been numerous recordings. These readings by Sir Adrian Boult are the most famous Moeran recordings ever put on disc.

"...truly the stuff of dreams." (Andrew Achenbach, Gramophone)

"This is [Boult s] finest recording...it bears the crown with eager majesty. Shout it from the rooftops!" (Rob Barnett, musicweb-international.com)

"[The Symphony] is a terrific listen, and on balance Boult s is the finest performance of the work...this disc is a classic any way you look at it." (David Hurwitz, classicstoday.com)

"Boult's radiant (mid-1970s) performance is both gripping and spacious, the recording very impressive and cast in the Boult mode. Characteristically he refuses to push too hard too soon, but the ebb and flow of tension are superbly controlled to build the most powerful possible climax." (Penguin Guide)

London Philharmonic Orchestra
New Philharmonia Orchestra
Sir Adrian Boult, conductor

Sir Adrian Boult (1889-1983)
spoke these words in a broadcast talk in February 1947. As a performer he exemplified the supreme professional. With a baton technique second to none, Boult's greatest achievement was the formation of the BBC Symphony Orchestra in 1930 and its subsequent development into a world-class ensemble by the end of that decade. The sheer range of music played during his time with the BBC remains extraordinary, including many world and British premieres. Unceremoniously dumped by the BBC at the mandatory retiring age of 60, Sir Adrian then worked with the London Philharmonic Orchestra in the 1950s. For the last 30 years of his life he served as a guest conductor, except for a single year in Birmingham. Boult was knighted in 1937 and made a Companion of Honour in 1969. He retired in 1979.

Boult was a prolific recording artist and many of his finest recorded performances can be found on EMI Classics. He was particularly renowned for his interpretations of the music of the English masters, particularly Elgar and Vaughan Williams, and his much-praised readings of the music of Brahms, Schubert and Wagner can also be found on EMI Classics.

In musical and general education the conductor must be unusually well equipped. He must have a great deal of musical knowledge; and I don't just mean of orchestral scores. He must also have a working knowledge of all instruments with which he is to come in contact, including the human voice. (Sir Adrian Boult)

Booklet for Moeran: Sinfonietta, Symphony in G Minor & Overture for a Masque