Some very exciting news to report! This September a new recording will be released of music by Ruth Gipps, the English composer whose neglect I have lamented at length or at frequent intervals or both. I think I am right in saying that it is the first modern commercial record devoted entirely to her work. It is the BBC National Orchestra of Wales conducted by Rumon Gamba who have stepped into this very wide breach in British music: they have made the première commercial recording of Gipps’ fourth symphony (1972), her 1948 Song for Orchestra and the early tone-poem ‘Knight in Armour’. Her second symphony, which enjoyed its American première earlier this year (thanks to the Seattle Philharmonic under Adam Stern), has also been recorded. The disc is on the Chandos label, CHAN 20078: more information can be found on their website, along with audio samples, which sound superb. I am looking forward to getting hold of it as soon as possible! The Song for Orchestra sounds like a gem.
All the signs are that a Ruth Gipps revival is under way and gathering momentum. It has been slow in arriving, but it will be very exciting to see where it might lead…
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