Havergal Brian
Born: 29th January 1876, Stoke on Trent, England
Died: 28th November 1972, Shoreham by Sea, England
Nationality: English
William Havergal Brian was an English composer, librettist, and church organist.
He is best known for having composed 32 symphonies—an unusually high number amongst his contemporaries—25 of them after the age of 70. His best-known work is his Symphony No. 1, The Gothic, which calls for some of the largest orchestral forces demanded by a conventionally structured concert work.
He also composed five operas and a number of other orchestral works, as well as songs, choral music and a small amount of chamber music.
Read more at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Havergal_Brian
Browse: Brian
Further Reading: Brian
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Martyn Brabbins on The Dream of Gerontius (and Havergal Brian)
5th Feb 2026
The conductor discusses his new recording of Elgar's masterpiece with Huddersfield Choral Society, and reflects on how he became such an enthusiastic ambassador for the music of Havergal Brian (whose 150th birthday fell last week).
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Overtures from the British Isles Vol. 3
30th Jan 2026
Rumon Gamba and the BBC Philharmonic lead a whistle-stop tour through the highways and byways of British music around the time of World War Two, taking in works by composers including Havergal Brian, Daniel Jones, Richard Arnell and Robin Orr.
Popular Genres: Brian
Orchestral
Chamber
Instrumental
Vocal
Concertos
Popular Works: Brian
- Burlesque Variations on an Original Theme (2)
- Concert Overture: For Valour (2)
- English Suite No. 1, Op. 12 (2)
- English Suite No. 5 - Rustic Scenes (2)
- Fanfare from 'The Cenci' (3)
- Fantastic Variations on an Old Rhyme (4)
- Faust (3)
- Festal Dance (5)
- Festival Fanfare (1967) (3)
- In Memoriam (4)
- John Dowland’s Fantasy (2)
- Legend for Violin and Piano (2)
- Symphony No. 1 'Gothic' (5)
- Symphony No. 2 in E minor (3)
- Symphony No. 6 ‘Sinfonia Tragica’ (3)
- Symphony No. 10 in C minor (2)
- Symphony No. 11 (3)
- Symphony No. 12 (3)
- Symphony No. 15 (2)
- Symphony No. 16 (2)
- Symphony No. 17 (3)
- Symphony No. 18 (2)
- Symphony No. 19 in E minor (2)
- Symphony No. 20 in C sharp minor (2)
- Symphony No. 21 in E flat (2)
- Symphony No. 22 ‘Symphonia brevis’ (3)
- Symphony No. 25 in A minor (2)
- Symphony No. 27 in C minor (2)
- Symphony No. 28 (2)
- Symphony No. 29 (3)
- Symphony No. 31 (3)
- Symphony No. 32 (3)
- The Birds (2)
- The Defiled Sanctuary (3)
- The Jolly Miller - Comedy Overture (2)
- The Land of Dreams (3)
- The Lost Doll (2)
- The Soul of Steel (2)
- Three Illuminations (2)
- Violin Concerto in C major (3)
Recent Best Sellers: Brian
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Special offer. Overtures from the British Isles, Vol. 3
BBC Philharmonic, Rumon Gamba
CD: Original price $19.75 Reduced $16.39Download from $8.00 -
Special offer. Havergal Brian: The Cenci
Helen Field (Beatrice Cenci), David Wilson-Johnson (Count Cenci), Ingveldur Yr Jonsdóttir (Lucretia), Justin Lavender (Orsino/Bernardo), Stuart Kale (Cardinal Camillo) Millennium Sinfonia, James Kelleher
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Gramophone Magazine, August 2024, Archive Issue of the Month
2 CDs: Original price $34.25 Reduced $25.68Download from $14.00 -
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Havergal Brian: Symphony No. 1 'The Gothic'
Jane Manning, Shirley Minty, John Mitchinson, David Thomas, London Symphony Orchestra, various choirs, Ole Schmidt
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Gramophone Magazine, February 2026, Reissue/Archive Issue of the Month
2 CDs: $28.25Download from $11.00 -
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Brian: Agamemnon & Symphonies Nos 6 & 12
John Findon (Agamemnon), Eleanor Dennis (Clytemnestra), Stephanie Wake-Edwards (Cassandra), Robert Murray (Watchman), Clive Bayley (Herald/Old Man) English National Opera Orchestra, Martyn Brabbins
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Presto Recordings of the Year, Finalist 2025
CD: $17.50Download from $11.75 -
