The curiously named English composer Cipriani Potter (1792-1871) wrote a considerable number of symphonies during the 1820s and 1830s. Two commercial recordings have been issued:
Symphonies 8 in E flat & 10 in G minor (Milton Keynes CO/ Hilary Davan Wetton) Unicorn-Kanchana DKP(CD) 9091 [long deleted]
Symphony 7 in F [with Sterndale Bennett G minor Symphony, Op.43] (Czech Chamber PO/ Douglas Bostock) ClassicO CLASSCD634 [probably going the same way]
During the mid-1990s the BBC actually broadcast recordings by the Ulster Orchestra conducted by Davan Wetton which included all three of the above along with the Symphonies in C minor (c.1826), in D (1834), another in C minor (1834) and the Overture to 'The Tempest' (1837) together with the revised second movement of the 8th. I treasure the off-air recordings I made at the time (since transferred from rather hissy tape to CD) but the sound quality is not brilliant.
I would love to see this entire series of performances released commercially as a set. Did anyone else hear them at the time or make recordings and what are their opinions of Potter as a symphonist?
From what I have heard of Potter's symphonic output I would say he was a rather distinguished symphonist. The UK COPAC does not list scores of the F major, D major (except in a 2-piano version) or either of the C minor symphonies broadcast by the BBC - though, obviously the orchestral material for these exists somewhere and the BBC or Davan Whetton would doubtless be able to direct anyone interested to it. RAM, however, has a symphony in B flat by Potter (1839), which would bring the total of his extant symphonies to 7. I think it would be very useful if we could hear a cycle of all these; I have no doubt it would provide much pleasure to members of this forum.
Information moved to new thread in the composers section.
Gentlemen: a quick reminder. This thread really ought to be in the Composers and Music section as (unfortunately) no new recordings are involved...
Quite right, Alan. Let's move it.
Thanks, Gareth.
I see the detailed posting about Potter's extant symphonies has been moved - thanks, Albion. Let's continue the thread there...