Marshall-Hall Symphony
In this first-ever recording of Marshall-Hall’s symphonies, Melbourne University Professor of Music Warren Bebbington conducts the Queensland Theatre Orchestra in late-Romantic orchestral works of striking colour and drive.
G.W.L. Marshall-Hall (1862–1915) was one of Australia’s first composers of real significance, and was described as a “picturesque and powerful influential personality in Australian intellectual life”. He dedicated the Symphony in E♭ to his “friends and comrades under the Southern Cross”, the painters Streeton and Roberts, with whom he often camped at Heidelberg.
Exuberant and rich in orchestral colour, with strong thematic ideas, this lively and passionate music breathes the spirit of romanticism: Brahmsian instrumental voicing meets Wagnerian wind writing. Warren Bebbington leads the Queensland Theatre Orchestra in the first recording of these scores. The booklet includes a historical essay on Marshall-Hall by Suzanne Robinson.
Reviews
Marshall Hall, a charismatic and eccentric figure who founded (Melbourne’s) first orchestra. The lively symphony, reminiscent of Brahms and Schumann, deserves better than its long obscurity, and Bebbington gives a warm and persuasive account, apparently the first since 1907.
An excellent glimpse of the music and personality of one of the first significant composers in Australia.
The Queensland orchestra displays enthusiasm and provides a guide to the many delights of an eminently enjoyable symphony.
The Symphony in E Flat breathes the spirit of romanticism … the slow movement particularly reflecting the Australian outback.
clear orchestration and expressive harmonies … attractive … an enjoyable recording
It’s all very listenable, and Move Records deserves credit for letting us hear it.
Artists
George Marshall-Hall
George William Louis Marshall-Hall was Melbourne's most important musical pioneer, and one of Australia's first composers of significance. He has composed over 50 works, including operas, symphonies, overtures, string quartets and songs, and through his teaching and conducting laid the foundations of much of Melbourne's present-day musical life.
Queensland Theatre Orchestra
The Queensland Theatre Orchestra has now combined with the Queensland Symphony Orchestra to create The Queensland Orchestra.
Warren Bebbington
Former Vice Chancellor of the University of Adelaide, Professor Bebbington was Director of the University of Melbourne Conservatorium for 17 years and before that Head of Music, University of Queensland. As a musicologist his New York PhD was ”Wagner as Conductor,” and he was Editor of the Oxford Companion to Australian Music.
Audio preview
Tracks
- Vivace 13:54
- Largamento 10:05
- Allegro con spirito 12:30
- Symphony in C Minor Adagio Sostenuto George Marshall-Hall 10:04
Symphony in E♭ George Marshall-Hall
Performers
Where to listen
Marshall-Hall Symphony is available for streaming through Apple Music. It can also be purchased through the iTunes Music Store.
Marshall-Hall Symphony is available as a CD. It can be purchased online through Buywell Music or the Australian Music Centre which both offer online ordering.
Product details
- Catalogue number
- MD 3081
- List price
- $25.00 AUD
- Total playing time
- 46 minutes 33 seconds
- Recording Engineer
- Peter Freeman
- Mastering Engineer
- Martin Wright
- Venue
- Mayne Hall University of Queensland
- Thanks to
- Creative Australia
University of Queensland - Release date
- 1 Nov 1995
- Musical work
copyright - © 1995 Move Records
- Sound recording
copyright - ℗ 1995 Move Records
- Categories
- Australian, Classical, Orchestral
- Genres
- Romantic & Impressionist, Orchestral & Concerto
- Barcode
- EAN 9314574308129
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