BBC National Orchestra of Wales, BBC Concert Orchestra, Martyn Brabbins - Brian: Symphony No. 1 'The Gothic' (2011)

In July 2011, over 800 performers gathered in London s Royal Albert Hall to give a rare performance of Havergal Brian s Symphony No.1 in D minor 'The Gothic'. Although tickets for this Prom sold out within 24 hours, we are fortunate that Hyperion recorded the performance, making it available to all. The symphony is a phenomenal work. Responding to the challenge set by Sir Henry Wood, the composer has thrown just about every known orchestral instrument into the mix, then adding a double chorus of over 500, plus children s choirs, for an hour-long Te Deum that makes up the symphony s finale. Martyn Brabbins leads these massive forces in a benchmark performance. Whether or not you were lucky enough to be there on the night, this is a recording not to be missed.

Brabbins and his hordes did a truly magnificent job, and those who were there are unlikely to forget the experience. --The Guardian

Far and away the finest [performance] it has received. Hyperion s release is a perfect one, of a great event, a magisterial work and an encapsulation of the enormous difficulties of the project as a whole. --Gramophone

Martyn Brabbins has the two orchestras playing the often virtuoso writing amazingly well for a single live performance. The horns in the scherzo observe all of their dynamic nuances correctly, and the xylophone player tackles Brian's patently insane part with stunning brilliance. Most importantly, the choirs actually make music out of Brian's densely woven counterpoint... The disc includes more than eight minutes of applause at the end, and though you'd be crazy to listen to it even once, it was certainly well-earned. --Classics Today