Arnold Bax’s Work in Progress: Overture for orchestra (1944)

Arnold Bax scholar, the late Graham Parlett, gives a great overview of the Work in Progress: Overture for orchestra in the final edition of the Bax Society Bulletin (January 1973, p.39). He explains that “Bax’s last overture…dates from 1943. The curious title derives from it having been commissioned by ENSA for one of their concerts intended to inspire the war workers, though in fact it sounds more like a “Bank Holiday Overture” and was referred to by the composer as “jeu d’esprit.” To those familiar with Bax’s music the work offers no surprises but, as always, the orchestration is colourful, the themes attractive and their treatment satisfying.”

The Overture was completed during November 1943, whilst the composer was residing at the White Horse Hotel, Storrington, Sussex. It was dedicated to Walter Legge (1906-79) who had commissioned it, along with overtures by Alan Rawsthorne and E.J. Moeran.

Other pieces being written by Arnold Bax at this time included the Legend-Sonata for cello and piano, and Salute to Sydney for brass and percussion. His next major orchestral composition would be A Legend for orchestra, which was finished during May 1944.

Structurally, the Overture is presented in “textbook sonata form.” Parlett (Liner Notes Lyrita SRCD 296, 2007) writes that the “opening is all bustle and feverish activity, with a forceful, contrasting idea on trumpets and trombones reflecting the strong Russian influence on Bax’s music.” The satirical reference to Haydn’s Emperor Hymn, Deutschland über Alles is noted. One wonders how many of the original concertgoers identified this allusion. This conceit is followed by a “lyrical melody on clarinet,” a “vigorous development of material” and “a modified recapitulation” before concluding with a “jubilant” coda. The Overture lasts for just over eight minutes.

Due to wartime restrictions, the location of the premiere was not detailed, save as being at a ‘New hall at a big factory in the London Suburbs,’ on the 24 February 1944. George Weldon conducted the London Symphony Orchestra (L.S.O.).

A report in the London edition of the Daily News (25 February 1944, p.3) discussed this premiere. The critic, Scott Goddard, considered that “It is capable and workmanlike music, though neither particularly diverting nor arresting from the hearer's point of view. It appears that the overture was deliberately designed to provide the type of opening to a concert which would whet the audience's appetite for more. Of that standard it falls appreciably short. The performance probably was not of the best, and it may be that a second hearing will prove the work to have more in it if than at first appears.”

The Musical Times (March 1944, p.90) reported in detail on the event: “On February 24 we were given an opportunity to see the ENSA service in action. The L.S.O. was giving a concert in the fine new hall at a big factory in the London suburbs. By special invitation, and transport, the press was present, the particular cause being the first performance of Arnold Bax's Overture Work in Progress.” The reviewer continued, “To diverge into music criticism, it is doubtful whether Bax's piece can be written down a winner, for all its willingness to break into tune and go lively. Bax will wander off into Baxianisms that are neither ‘work’ nor ‘progress.’ The Overture is real music from all points of view but that for which it was intended. However, the concert was a good one and brought forth some well-rehearsed and delicate playing by the L.S.O. under George Weldon. Unfortunately, another kind of work in progress discouraged attendance at a concert that began half-an-hour after black-out. But we were told that a three-quarter-filled hall was quite exceptional. The general rule is standing room only.”

Other performances of Bax’s Overture were advertised by the Liverpool Evening Express (11 February 1944, p.3) at Burnley on 20 March, and at Stafford. This was the Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra, conducted by George Weldon.

Lewis Foreman, (2007, p.369) suggests that Work in Progress “sounds perilously close to Eric Coates in style…” Despite “its extended passages of bracing, brassy allegro, it is a successful piece, and, although plumbing no depths, it is entertaining.”

Although this is not Bax at his most profound, neither can it be classified as ‘light’ music. Certainly, it is both ‘cheerful’ and ‘extrovert,’ especially in the final passage. It could be regarded as him “letting his hair down.”

Arnold Bax’s Work in Progress: Overture for orchestra, can be heard on YouTube, here. It is heard in the Handley/RPO version.

Bibliography
Foreman, Lewis, Bax: A Composer and his Times (The Boydell Press, Woodbridge, 1983, 1987, 2007)
Parlett, Graham, A Catalogue of the Works of Sir Arnold Bax (Clarendon Press, Oxford, 1999)

Discography
Bax, Arnold, Work in Progress, with Symphony No.6, Rogue’s Comedy Overture, Overture to Adventure, Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Vernon Handley. Lyrita CD: SRCD 296, 2007.