2021 - British Music Society

Obituary: Eric Wetherell

Feb 22, 2021 | News

30 December 1925 – 31 January 2021 BMS member Eric Wetherell has died aged 95. In the words of his daughter: ‘He was a remarkable all-round musician, a fine composer, well respected conductor, as well as a dearly loved husband, father and grandfather.’ Wetherell...

Thurston Dart anniversaries

Feb 22, 2021 | News

Saturday 6 March marks the 50th anniversary of the death of Thurston Dart and 3 September will be the centenary of his birth. A distinguished musicologist and performer, Thurston Dart did much to revive interest in early English keyboard music in the 1950s and...

Robert Simpson centenary offer

Feb 22, 2021 | News

Andrew Youdell has a seven CD box set in mint condition available for sale of the Hyperion recordings of the complete symphonies of Robert Simpson. These were recorded mainly with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Vernon Handley. This set is now deleted...

DAME ETHEL SMYTH: The Prison

Feb 22, 2021 | CD reviews

Experiential Orchestra and ChorusJames Blachly conductorSarah Brailey sopranoDashon Burton bass-baritone CHANDOS CHSA5279 The Prison (1929 -30), Dame Ethel Smyth’s only symphony and her last major work, is not really a symphony in any conventional sense. It was...

RALPH VAUGHAN WILLIAMS: Folk Songs Volume 2

Feb 22, 2021 | CD reviews

ALBION ALBCD043 The charisma and charm that oozes and enchants its way throughout Albion’s second collection of Vaughan William’s Folk Songs is masterfully delivered here. Fine British music and choice words combine to produce a finely balanced mix in this recording,...