Havergal Brian: Symphony No. 1 'The Gothic'
Jane Manning, Shirley Minty, John Mitchinson, David Thomas,
London Symphony Orchestra, various choirs, Ole Schmidt
Awards:
-
Gramophone Magazine, February 2026, Reissue/Archive Issue of the Month
Ole Schmidt successfully drives the 718 performers through its demanding and immersive score, but at times, particularly in the Te Deum, vocal performances sacrifice clarity for drama
Havergal Brian: Symphony No. 1 'The Gothic'
Jane Manning, Shirley Minty, John Mitchinson, David Thomas,
London Symphony Orchestra, various choirs, Ole Schmidt
Purchase product
Awards:
-
Gramophone Magazine, February 2026, Reissue/Archive Issue of the Month
Ole Schmidt successfully drives the 718 performers through its demanding and immersive score, but at times, particularly in the Te Deum, vocal performances sacrifice clarity for drama
About
Heritage marks the 150th anniversary of the birth of Havergal Brian with its latest release. Brian's legendary 'Gothic' symphony was composed over a period of eight years in 1927. His vision was to encapsulate the splendour of the Gothic age in music of extraordinarily diverse styles, hinting at plainsong chant at one extreme to almost operatic declamation at the other. A total of some 718 performers including an orchestra of 158 players participated in this performance from the Royal Albert Hall, given in May 1980. Broadcast live by the BBC, Danish conductor Ole Schmidt and his forces generated an epic sweep of sound over a period of an hour and three-quarters.The broadcast has been sensitively re-mastered for its first CD release and extensive notes are provided by John Pickard.
Contents and tracklist
- Jane Manning, Shirley Minty, John Mitchinson, David Thomas
- London Symphony Orchestra, London Symphony Chorus, London Philharmonic Choir, BBC Symphony Chorus, BBC Singers, BBC Club Choir, Hampstead Choral Society, Bach Choir, English Chamber Choir, Royal Choral Society, Highgate Choral Society, Goldsmith's Choral Union, Orpheus Girls' Choir, Colfe's School Choir
- Ole Schmidt
- London Symphony Orchestra, London Symphony Chorus, London Philharmonic Choir, BBC Symphony Chorus, BBC Singers, BBC Club Choir, Hampstead Choral Society, Bach Choir, English Chamber Choir, Royal Choral Society, Highgate Choral Society, Goldsmith's Choral Union, Orpheus Girls' Choir, Colfe's School Choir
- Ole Schmidt
- London Symphony Orchestra, London Symphony Chorus, London Philharmonic Choir, BBC Symphony Chorus, BBC Singers, BBC Club Choir, Hampstead Choral Society, Bach Choir, English Chamber Choir, Royal Choral Society, Highgate Choral Society, Goldsmith's Choral Union, Orpheus Girls' Choir, Colfe's School Choir
- Ole Schmidt
Spotlight on this release
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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).
Awards and reviews
-
Gramophone MagazineFebruary 2026Reissue/Archive Issue of the Month
March 2026
Ole Schmidt successfully drives the 718 performers through its demanding and immersive score, but at times, particularly in the Te Deum, vocal performances sacrifice clarity for drama
February 2026
Pitched between Adrian Boult's tensile cohesion or Martyn Brabbins's emotional immediacy, both likewise recorded at the Royal Albert Hall, Schmidt's is rarely other than engrossing and benefits from Heritage's thorough sonic refurbishment
23rd January 2026
The 35-minute part one is a persuasive three-movement symphony all on its own, but it’s the challenging, hour-long setting of the Te Deum that demands the listener’s concentrated attention...Schmidt marshals his 158 orchestral players and 560-strong chorus with a ringmaster’s assurance, the solo quartet crowned by the late Jane Manning’s soaring soprano.
