Bax - Symphony No.1

Arnold Bax's 1st Symphony was the only symphony of his recorded in his lifetime, and this 1971 Lyrita recording with the London Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Australian Myer Fredman was its first stereo recording.

Myer Fredman

My plan is to post all of Bax's symphonies, and I started with No.5 a few weeks ago.

The first symphony (of seven) was completed in 1922 and dedicated to his fellow composer John Ireland. The first and third movements are based on an E flat piano sonata. Click on the sleevenote scan below to read more about the music.

Myer Fredman studied under Sir Adrian Boult (amongst others) and had spells as assistant conductor to Otto Klemperer, John Pritchard and Charles Mackerras. For over 10 years he conducted the Glyndebourne Festival. His pioneering recordings of the 1st and 2nd Symphonies of Bax were made possible by film director Ken Russell - who liked Bax so much he made a film about him in 1992 and cast himself as the composer. (See the embedded video below, along with Vernon Handley's discussion of the Bax Symphonies and the story of the Lyrita label).

Myer Fredman gave an extended interview to the Arnold Bax website.

Cartridge: Hana EL MC

Phono amp: Graham Slee Accession MC

Turntable: CTC Classic 301 with SME M2-12R

Click to enlarge

This film by Ken Russell was made (in 1992) for London Weekend Television's South Bank Show - an arts programme fronted by Melvyn Bragg. Apart from starring Russell as Arnold Bax, Glenda Jackson was cast as Bax's long time mistress, pianist Harriet Cohen.