Unsung Composers

The Music => Digital Realisations => Topic started by: Reverie on Sunday 25 October 2026, 12:30

Title: Walter Macfarren - Symphony in Bb (1879)
Post by: Reverie on Sunday 25 October 2026, 12:30
I now have a "new look" website on my Forgotten British Composers theme which will have no samples but full works. I've started with Walter Macfarren's Symphony in Bb which was presumed to be lost but is now found. (I can hear Amazing Grace as I type!)

The symphony is in no way a 'ground breaking' work for 1879. However, despite its conservative style it's certainly listenable and in any case it's there for posterity.

If you go down to the work list you'll find a link to the symphony there.


Forgotten British Composers 1850-1950 (https://martinrobertwalsh.github.io/forgotten-british-composers-1850-1950/)
Title: Re: Walter Macfarren - Symphony in Bb (1879)
Post by: Mark Thomas on Sunday 25 October 2026, 15:51
Thanks, Martin, that'll be an intresting listen. Thanks also for expanding the website to showcase full works.
Title: Re: Walter Macfarren - Symphony in Bb (1879)
Post by: terry martyn on Sunday 25 October 2026, 18:33
It reminded me of one of the minor orchestral suites of Sullivan, although undoubtedly symphonic.
Title: Re: Walter Macfarren - Symphony in Bb (1879)
Post by: Ilja on Sunday 25 October 2026, 19:51
Martin, I'm really glad to hear this. Fascinating as your fragments of British composers' works were, it did often leave me longing to hear the whole thing. You are a master of this craft, and I'll be waiting eagerly for the MacFarren (and others)!*

* while secretly hoping you'll find time somehow to give us the remainder of Friedrich Ernst Koch's G major symphony...