Notable British Composers

In Vikram Seth's "An Equal Music" about an English String Quartet, the second violinist, Michael Holme recalls his German teacher deriding British Composers: "Oh you English! Finzi! Delius! It would be better to remain in a land without music than to have music like that." It was rather unfair of him not to mention better known British Composers who produced noteworthy music.

Edward Elgar was a distinctive voice with his two symphonies, violin concerto, cello concerto & the ever popular "Enigma Variations." The Roman Catholic Elgar had, as Ernest Newman said "a personal element that derives its brilliant & eloquent energy from a constantly renewed inner struggle."

Ralph Vaughan Williams' "Pastoral Symphony" was quite unlike any other symphony that had appeared before. The composer himself described it as "almost entirely quiet & contemplative." His earlier "London" Symphony however was self impressive with Westminster chimes, a 'Lavender' cry & jingle of hansom bells.

Arnold Bax was a self proclaimed "brazen romantic." For him, like Mendelssohn, everything came too easily. His seven symphonies contain music of haunting beauty, expressing his pantheism & mysticism. His music was inspired by Gaelic legends & Celtic renaissance.

Though Benjamin Britten composed no symphonies, his love of children manifested itself in the ever popular "A Young Person's Guide to the Orchestra." "Four Sea interludes from 'Peter Grimes' also proved attractive.