In 1960 Arthur Butterworth composed ‘The
Moors’, Suite for large orchestra and organ, op. 26, which was specifically written for the BBC
Northern Orchestra in Manchester. At that time the Head of Music was Paul
Huband and the chief producer, was the composer, David Ellis. I understand
that the work was 'pro bono' and not a paid commission.
The Suite evoked the spirit of the moors
during the four seasons under various meteorological conditions. The composer
told me that it was the result of
many hours spent in his youth, walking the moors between Oldham and
Huddersfield which was, and still is, a wild tract of country.
The work was conceived in four sizable
movements – 1. ‘Moorland Dawn in
early Spring,’ 2. ‘The Pageantry of Sun and Cloud on the High Hills at Midsummer,’ 3.
‘The Mist on the Bleak Grey Moor at Twilight in Autumn,’ and 4. ‘The Night Wind on
the Desolate Moor in Winter’.
It is possible to hear the final
movement on YouTube. This
is billed as being played by the Slaithwaite Philharmonic Orchestra conducted
by Rupert d’Cruze. There is no date of the performance given. However, I do
wonder if this extract is not actually played by the Huddersfield Philharmonic.
I look forward to being corrected.
I have not heard the entire work: I
am not sure that it has been performed recently. The sound-world of the YouTube
extract is truly impressive and creates one of the best tone-pictures that I
have heard: it is a truly scary experience. The orchestration is masterly and
creates an impressionistic painting of the bleak northern landscape.
The
Moors’, Suite was first performed at a concert conducted by Stanford Robinson
in January 1963. Arthur Butterworth told me that the work was performed a few times in the
early 1960s including by the Huddersfield Philharmonic with both the composer
and Rupert d’Cruze conducting separate performances. It was also heard in
Manchester Town Hall at a Friday midday concert with the BBC Northern Orchestra
featuring the once-splendid Cavaille-Coll organ there. Alas, this great
instrument has been allowed to deteriorate into an almost unplayable state.
(See this YouTube Video
for a heart-breaking view of this organ as it is now). I do understand that
there is a society working to restore it, however their web page is almost
unreadable due to a plethora of 'pop-up' ads.
Based on this last movement of Arthur
Butterworth’s, ‘The Moors’,
Suite, op.26 I believe that a
full professional recording is demanded. For all intents and purposes this work
appears to be a symphony by any other name.
4 comments:
John - you're right, this was indeed played, not by the "Slawit" but by the Huddersfield Phil. The performance took place on 23 April 1994.
Between about 1984 and 2002, I broadcast almost all of the HPO's concerts live on the hospitals radio network and, as a matter of course, I recorded them (on Dolby C cassettes). There is thus a fair possibility that the Youtube item is one of my recordings.
However Mike Briggs, who was the HPO's principal trumpet, and who happened to run a recording studio, sometimes "doubled up" (using equipment of which hard-up hospital radio groups could only dream). From the sound, I suspect that this Youtube piece probably originated from one of his recordings, although it COULD be mine, somewhat "tarted up" by some wave-editing application.
Not that it matters. I still have all those recordings, and would be more than happy to let you have a copy of the complete "Moors" suite (I could even "tart it up" a bit for you!).
Incidentally, Arthur said that his specific inspiration for this finale was a nighttime drive home over the moors through a blizzard; seeing pretty well nothing but whirling snowflakes rushing at him through his headlamp beams was, he recalled, one of the most terrifying experiences he'd ever suffered. Listening to the music, I have no trouble whatsoever believing him!
The confusion over the orchestra might arise from the fact that Arthur himself conducted the SPO in his "Dales Suite" less than two years earlier, on 17 October 1992.
Cheers,
Paul
Hello. I just wanted to write a brief note to compliment you on your exemplary blog: it has been both an invaluable resource and a constant source of pleasure to read. Congratulations.
Thanks for that Paul, & yes I would love a copy of the complete Moorlands Suite.
Regards
J
Dear 'Neale'
Thank-you for the the lovely compliment
J
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