Havergal Brian: Symphony no.1 "Gothic" (Hyperion Audio CD 2-disc set)  

Susan Gritton (soprano)
Christine Rice (mezzo-soprano)
Peter Auty (tenor)
Alastair Miles (bass) & David Goode (organ)
BBC National Orchestra of Wales
BBC Concert Orchestra
The Bach Choir
BBC National Chorus of Wales
Brighton Festival Chorus
CBSO Youth Chorus
Côr Caerdydd
Eltham College Boys’ Choir, Huddersfield Choral Society & London Symphony Chorus, Martyn Brabbins

On 17 July 2011 over 800 performers gathered in London’s Royal Albert Hall to give a rare performance of Havergal Brian’s Symphony No 1 in D minor—‘The Gothic’. Tickets for this Prom sold out within 24 hours, and so it gives us great pleasure to make this live recording available to all.

It’s a pretty phenomenal work. Responding to the challenge set by Sir Henry Wood, the composer has thrown just about every known orchestral instrument into the mix, then adding a double chorus of over 500, plus children’s choirs, for an hour-long Te Deum—the church’s blazing Hymn of Thanksgiving—which makes up the symphony’s finale.

Whether or not you were lucky enough to be there on the night, this is a recording not to be missed.