Brian, Havergal - Symphonies Nos. 4 (Das Siegeslied) & 12 - Leaper, Adrian

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• Brian’s Fourth Symphony is a multilayered work; first it is a formal celebratory setting of a victory psalm, but it can also be viewed as violent, chromatic music of violent expressive contrast which predicates the apocalyptic denunciation of state militarism. Brian - in addition to his vocal forces of large double chorus and soprano - deploys an orchestra of massive dimensions, including many unusual woodwind instruments.


• Brian composed his Twelfth Symphony a quarter of a century after Das Siegeslied, in early 1957, and it's a very different proposition: purely instrumental, extremely concise (in fact, the shortest symphony he had yet written) and inspired by Greek Tragedy - another of the composer’s abiding passions. He still employs a large orchestra (though not the gigantic forces of No.4), but the language is pared down to essentials, the argument proceeding by abrupt juxtapositions of intensely dramatic music gestures.



• Previous praise for the Marco Polo recording: “Havergal Brian’s incredible ear for striking sonority never ceases to amaze, and is especially well brought out in 12….The Marco Polo Brian series is going to be one of the major cultural events of the 1990s.” Havergal Brian Society on 8.223447

Jana Valásková, soprano

The Soloists and Choirs of the Slovak Radio Symphony Orchestra; Slovak Radio Symphony Orchestra/Adrian Leaper
Havergal Brian

Symphony No. 4, "Das Siegeslied" (Psalm of Victory)

1. I. Maestoso: Ein Psalmlied Davids

2. I. Es stehe Gott auf

3. I. Lento: Du gabst, Gott, einen gnadigen Regen

4. I. Allegro vivo ma deciso: Der Herr gab das Wort

5. II. Wenn ihr zwischen den Hurden laget

6. II. Der Wagen Gottes sind vieltausendmal tausend

7. II. Du bist in die Hohe gefahren

8. III. Bewegt: Gelobet sei der Herr taglich

9. III. Der Herr hat gesagt

10. III. Dass dein Fuss in der Feinde Blut gefarbt werde

11. III. Man sieht, Gott, wie du einherziehst

12. III. "Lobet Gott den Herrn in den Versammlungen …"

13. III. Solenne: Die Fursten aus Agypten werden kommen

14. III. Andante maestoso: Gebet Gott die Macht!



Symphony No. 12

15. Introduction -

16. Allegro maestoso -

17. A Tempo Marcia Lento -

18. Adagio espressivo -

19. Allegro vivo