The LSSO were the first orchestra to make a commercial recording of Havergal Brian’s music. Symphonies Nos. 10 and 21, conducted by James Loughran and Eric Pinkett respectively, were recorded at the De Monfort Hall, Leicester in 1972. The producer was Robert Simpson - a great champion of Brian - and the LP was released by Unicorn Records to great critical acclaim in 1973. A special edition of the television programme Aquarius gave considerable coverage to the recording session and a camera crew also joined members of the orchestra during a visit they made to the composer’s home in Shoreham. A copy of this programme is kept in the LSSO archives. The LP achieved the accolade of being included in the EMG Newsletter nominations for the top classical releases for the year of 1973. Sadly, the composer died prior to the disc being released.

Sound clips: 2) 21st Symphony

Following the success of the Unicorn issue, a second Brian album was recorded in 1974 at Hove Town Hall and Leicester De Montfort Hall with the conducting being shared by Laszlo Heltay and Eric Pinkett. This CBS release includes Brian’s setting of the 23^rd Psalm which clearly belongs to the mainstream British choral tradition of Vaughan Williams and Parry. The English Suite "Rustic Scenes" contains some highly original music which is enormous fun to listen to. The suite also includes a beautiful Reverie for strings.

Sound clips: 4) Psalm 23

Sound clips: 5) English Suite 1

Sound clips: 6) English Suite 2

Sound clips: 7) English Suite 3

Sound clips: 8) English Suite 4

Press articles relating to these recordings can be seen in the reviews section of this website. There is also a link from this site to the official Havergal Brian Society website if you wish to find out more about the composer and his work.