Frank Bridge’s Suite: The Sea for large orchestra (1911)

I want to dispel the notion that Frank Bridge’s Suite: The Sea for large orchestra is in some way an English response to Debussy’s La Mer (1903-05). It is not. It could be argued that this music is an evocation of the sea and often an impressionistic one at that. But if you play the two works back-to-back, one will notice the difference. Frank Bridge uses and develop themes, whereas Debussy is more driven by motives.

There are four movements, all of which contribute to the magic of this impressive tone poem. Let Bridge’s words give us some idea of the mood evoked in this score:

“Seascape paints the sea on a summer morning. From high drifts is seen a great expanse of waters lying in the sunlight.  Warm breezes play over the surface.  Sea-foam froths among the low-lying rocks and pools on the shore, playfully not stormy. Moonlight paints a calm sea at night. The first moonbeams are struggling to pierce through the clouds, which eventually pass over, leaving the sea shimmering in full moonlight. Finally, a raging Storm. Wind, rain and tempestuous seas, with the lulling of the storm an allusion to the first number is heard and which may be regarded as a sea lover’s dedication to the sea.”

It is interesting to note that Frank Bridge composed much of this music in Eastbourne, with the seascape of the English Channel in view. Strangely it was at an hotel in the same town the Debussy put the final touches to his masterpiece, La Mer.

The score was begun in 1910 and was completed on 5 July 1911. It was published under the Carnegie Music Publishing scheme, being included in the first list of works chosen by the committee.

The Sea was premiered on 24 September 1912 during a Queen’s Hall Promenade Concert. The resident orchestra was conducted by Sir Henry Wood.

The Yorkshire Post and Leeds Intelligencer (25 September 1912, p.6) notes that “The subject has frequently tempted, and, in some cases inspired composers, for the ocean and its many and constantly varying moods bear a close analogy to the ebb and flow of human emotion, added to which it possesses a grandeur peculiarly its own. The possession of so many different attributes makes the task of the composer who would suggest them very difficult. It is well to remember this when listening to a sea piece, especially the one produced last night, for, truth to tell. Mr. Bridge does not seem to have sufficiently realised the possibilities of his subject. Apart from this, the work is well-considered and musicianly composition.”

The young Benjamin Britten was totally bowled over when he first heard this work performed at a Norwich Triennial Festival concert in 1924. He was particularly impressed with the ‘sensuous harmonies’ in the Moonlight movement.

Frank Bridge’s Suite: The Sea can be heard on YouTube, here. The Ulster Orchestra is conducted by Vernon Handley.