Bringing Britain’s musical heritage alive
Founded in 1979, the British Music Society is dedicated to promoting and preserving Britain’s musical heritage with particular emphasis on 20th century composers through recordings, publications and events
Latest features & reviews
COOKE: Chamber Music
These are all outstanding first ever recordings of stunningly well-crafted chamber works. Many have been broadcast before but the Pleyel Ensemble are to be congratulated for being first to give them a more permanent afterlife
ARNOLD: The Dancing Master
A BBC rejection of Malcolm Arnold’s only opera still leaves indelible scars after 60 years. It was one of many disappointments to befall the prolific composer.
HOLST: Alpha and Omega
… I can truthfully assert that the rest of the disc, its major part, is unalloyed joy. It includes all 17 of Holst’s carols, two of which are recorded for the first time.
Memories of Peter Wishart
Arriving at the Guildhall School of Music early in 1961, the old building by Blackfriars Bridge, I was directed to a room upstairs, where, after knocking, the door was opened by Peter Wishart surrounded by the delicious aroma of French Disque Bleu cigarettes…
PAUL LEWIS: Harp Scenes
Lewis’s music is, quite rightly, described as a ‘luscious oeuvre’ and so if you want harp music that is idiomatic, tuneful and lyrical then this disc is for you…
WALTON: Chamber Music
From the first folk-like theme the Piano Quartet of the teenage Walton breathes pure English Pastoral – an impression only reinforced by the heat-haze of the delicious slow movement.