FREDERICK AUSTIN (1872-1952): Rhapsody: Spring (Royal Northern College of Music Symphony Orchestra; Douglas Bostock), Symphony in E, Overtures The Sea Venturers (Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra; Bostock) and Richard II (Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra; Ronald Corp).

Description: The only new work here is the 1900 Richard II, apparently, Austin’s first completed composition. Bold and exuberant, with nods to Wagner and Richard Strauss, it was reconstructed for this recording by the composer’s great-grandson, Jeremy Lee-Browne. The symphony of 1913 is redolent of Bax; the latter was one of Austin's best friends and it's probable that many of the echoes one hears in this work of the former's Spring Fire is a case of reverse influence as the two pieces were finished within 30 days of each other and Bax was the pianist who played through pieces for his circle of musical friends. Like other Bax works of the period it even ends in a march, like most of the latter's symphonies. Spring has a forward-looking complexity and colorful orchestration and, if anyone, Delius is called to mind in the more vigorous moments of the score while the 1934 Sea Venturers is a boisterous portrait of the ships and men of the Liverpool docks. Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra; Douglas Bostock. Original 2001 RLPO Live (06C009) 2002 and 2003 Classico releases (07E050 and 06E008).