Music and Vinyl: Robert Still

In all probability the 4th Symphony of Robert Still is the only symphony ever written that takes its programme from a journal of Psycho-Analysis. The sleeve notes for this record (click on the scan below to enlarge) detail how the case of a young man with a persecution complex, and his subsequent treatment are reflected in this one-movement symphony.

Robert Still (1910-1971) was a British composer whose obscurity was not helped by his inability for self-promotion. Public performances and recordings were extremely thin on the ground, which is real pity since his music has a quality which deserves to be better known.

Currently Discogs lists only three different recordings of music by Still: a 1967 Decca record coupled with music by Rubbra - that has never had a CD reissue, a Naxos CD of 4 string quartets, and the present Lyrita disc of Symphonies 3 and 4. Symphony No.3 is a 1966 recording first issued by Saga (and apparently financed by its conductor Sir Eugene Goossens, who had championed the work). Myer Fredman's recording of the 4th was newly recorded for this 1971 LP.