The music of Michael Tippett has appeared here before. This time, it's his First Symphony - not his actual first, as that was withdrawn by Tippett as he considered it immature and too Sibelian in nature. This one dates from 1945, though had its genesis while the composer was in prison in 1943 as a conscientious objector during the Second World War. Malcolm Sargent conducted the first performance in Liverpool.
Tippett described the music as exuberant rather than refined. The brief synopsis on Wikipedia says:
"After an energetic and rhythmically insistent opening movement, the Adagio is a darkly mysterious ground bass with variations, in Purcellian manner. The third movement (Presto) is a vigorous scherzo with a pavan-like trio scored for the strings. The finale is a double fugue based on two very different, contrasting subjects, which Tippett then combines in intricate contrapuntal figuration. At the climax, however, the music falls apart, and the work ends in a wholly unexpected way."
A more detailed analysis can found on the Fugue For Thought Blog.
Cartridge: Miyajima Shilabe
Phono amp: Graham Slee Accession MC
Turntable: CTC Classic 301 with SME M2-12R
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