Symphonies by Bowen, Stanford & Parry: Discography

Wrapping up my discussion of Bowen's Second, Stanford's Seventh and Parry's Fifth Symphonies it is useful to present a current discography of these works. 

Like all works of art, these three symphonies seem to attract a wide range of critical views. However one thing can be clear: all three are commendable works that add considerably to the stock of British symphonies. As noted throughout these last three posts all three works have been criticised as being both derivative and not ‘avant-garde’. However, what strikes the reader of contemporary and more recent reviews of these works is the general consensus that Bowen, Parry and Stanford have produced works that may not be their masterpieces (Parry excepted) but are technically competent and emotionally satisfying. Each symphony deserves its place in the repertoire and ought to be heard at symphony orchestra concerts. However, this is unlikely to happen when the public have an insatiable demand for Tchaikovsky, Beethoven and Mahler. At least all three works are committed to recordings and these will be available for a very long time:  these CDs are unlikely to be superseded for very many years.

From a personal point of view, all three works impress me: the sheer classical poise of Stanford, the personal soul searching, and often Elgarian mood of the Parry and the youthfulness and panache of the Bowen.

Discography

York Bowen: Symphony No. 2 in E minor, Op. 31 (with orchestral works by Frederic Austin and Edgar Bainton) CLASSICO CLASSCD404 (2002)

Royal Northern College of Music Symphony Orchestra conducted by Douglas Bostock.

York Bowen: Symphony No. 2 in E minor, Op. 31 (with Symphony No.1) CHANDOS CHAN 10670 (2011)

BBC Philharmonic conducted by Sir Andrew Davis

Hubert Parry: Symphony No. 5 in B minor "Symphonic Fantasia 1912" EMI 65107 (1987, 1994) (original LP release of: EMI ASD 3725) (1979) (with Symphonic Variations, Elegy for Brahms and Blest Pair of Sirens)
London Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Sir Adrian Boult 

Hubert Parry: Symphony No. 5 in B minor ‘Symphonic Fantasia 1912’ CHANDOS CHAN 8955 (1991) (with From Death to Life & Elegy for Brahms)

London Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Matthias Bamert
Charles Villiers Stanford: Symphony No. 7 in D minor, Op. 124 NAXOS 8.570285 (2007) (with Symphony No. 4)

Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra conducted by David Lloyd-Jones

Charles Villiers Stanford: Symphony No. 7 in D minor, Op. 124 CHANDOS CHAN 8861 (1990) (with Irish Rhapsody No. 3 and Concert Piece)
Ulster Orchestra conducted by Vernon Handley