Rutland Boughton's New CD

Dutton Epoch has recently issued a CD with three orchestral tone poems by Rutland Boughton, the composer born in Aylesbury in 1878 and best known for his record-breaking opera “The Immortal Hour”. The 50th anniversary of his death last year was marked by a performance of his 3rd symphony by Aylesbury Symphony Orchestra in their November concert at St Mary’s Church. The symphony is among a number of Boughton’s orchestral and chamber compositions recorded on CD, and these are now joined by these three delightful early tone poems, which are given excellent performances by the Royal Scottish National Orchestra conducted by Martin Yates.

The first one “Love and Spring” was composed when Boughton was 28. It was performed at a Henry Wood Prom concert in 1914. Towards the end Boughton quotes the cuckoo and quail sounds from Beethoven’s Pastoral Symphony, and throughout use is made of trumpets and horns, as in the later symphony. The second, titled “Troilus and Cressida” is similar, with superb orchestration and themes apparently relating to the composer’s own love life. “Summer Night”, the third poem, is based on the famous speech about the moonlight in Shakespeare’s “Merchant of Venice” which mentions the Trojan lovers Troilus and Cressida. Boughton later dedicated this piece to his wife, and it contains some good melodies as well as a passage marked to be played ‘dreamily’. The BBC Radio 3 announcer who described Boughton as an “Art Nouveau composer” may have had a point! At times his music is reminiscent of his great contemporary Elgar. If the new CDs increase his fame perhaps one day Aylesbury could have a “Boughton Trail” like the Elgar one at Worcester!

The disc also includes three tone poems by Edgar Bainton, a friend of Boughton’s from student days, who was involved with the first Glastonbury Festivals founded and directed by Boughton. He also wrote symphonies and an opera for the Festival. The CD booklet refers to the “Celtic Twilight” of early 20th century British music to which both these composers contributed.

This is a thoroughly enjoyable and tuneful disc. Also available from Dutton Epoch is a new recording of Boughton’s music-drama “The Queen of Cornwall” based on a play by Thomas Hardy. It is performed by The New London Orchestra and members of The London Chorus conducted by Ronald Corp.`

www.duttonvocalion.co.uk

Tone Poems CDLX7262
The Queen of Cornwall 2CDLX7256

Roger Evans
13/01/10