Havergal Brian (1876 - 1972) - Prolific but obscure British Composer

One of the musical world's unsung heroes is Havergal Brian. Self taught, in spite of composing 32 Symphonies, a Concerto for Orchestra,  Concertos for Cello & Violin, & numerous other works, he remained relatively unknown until the advent of records.

Sir Henry Wood (of the Promenade Concerts fame) once suggested to Brian to write a work reviving all the old & obsolete instruments to convey unique ideas. He did, in a work "Gothic Symphony", nearly 2 hours long but every moment being meaningful. The finale was the "Te Deum" for voices. Even though completed in 1919, its first performance was given only in 1966!

Even though championed by the musicologist Sir Donald Tovey (7 Volume Essays in Musical Analysis) & Sir Henry Wood, his works were seldom performed.

Only Leopold Stokowski (then 91) conducted Brian's 28th Symphony, when Brian was also 91! He was most creative in his seventies onwards up to his nineties!