Hear the U.S. Première of Gipps’ Symphony No. 2!

As reported previously (here, here and here) the first performance in the United States of Ruth Gipps’ second symphony was given on the 31st March this year by the Seattle Philharmonic Orchestra under the baton of Adam Stern.  Now Mr. Stern has kindly written with the news that video recording of their rendition is now available on YouTube.  Here it is, capturing a contrast of flavour that I think is characteristic of Gipps’ music: that between romantic tenderness on one hand, and a light-footed liveliness, almost spikiness, on the other:

Many thanks to the Seattle Philharmonic Orchestra for this performance!  It is wonderful to know that this music is being played and enjoyed on the other side of the Atlantic.  In fact, it is wonderful to hear it being performed like this at all, given the neglect in which Ruth Gipps’ music has been languishing, and from which it seems at last to be emerging.

And this is not the only good news about Ruth Gipps’ music.  In September a new disc was released on the Chandos label of recordings of this same work, the second symphony, along with Gipps’ fourth symphony and two other early works, ‘Knight in Armour’ and the Song for Orchestra.  It is the National Orchestra of Wales under Rumon Gamba who have rectified a long-lasting injustice: the almost total absence of proper commercial recordings of this under-performed and overlooked composer’s music.  The recording and the rendition are of the quality that Ruth Gipps deserves, I feel, and would certainly recommend them.  The fourth symphony is perhaps less accessible than the other works, but is pervaded by an otherworldly, rather nocturnal atmosphere, and repays listening.

It is fantastic that this recording has been made.  The only improvement I can think to suggest is to record the other symphonies, especially the third and fifth, to complement it!