Bantock: Orchestral Works BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra & Rumon Gamba

• Granville Bantock ((1868 - 1946): Hebridean Symphony:
• 1 Bantock: Hebridean Symphony: I. Tranquillo 13:58
• 2 Bantock: Hebridean Symphony: II. Con moto 03:04
• 3 Bantock: Hebridean Symphony: III. Animando 07:47
• 4 Bantock: Hebridean Symphony: IV. Poco lento 08:45
• Prelude to "The Bacchae" of Euripides:
• 5 Bantock: Prelude to "The Bacchae" of Euripides 06:22
• English Scenes:
• 6 Bantock: English Scenes: Ia. Pastorale. In the Country 03:44
• 7 Bantock: English Scenes: Ib. Episode 01:05
• 8 Bantock: English Scenes: Ic. Tempo I 01:24
• 9 Bantock: English Scenes: II. Romance. The Trysting Place 05:13
• 10 Bantock: English Scenes: III. Intermezzo. Fairyland 02:56
• 11 Bantock: English Scenes: IV. Benedictus. In Church 07:37
• 12 Bantock: English Scenes: V. Hornpipe. Sailors’ Dance 03:23
• Total Runtime 01:05:18

Info for Bantock: Orchestral Works

Granville Bantock was born into a wealthy family (his father was a highly respected gynaecologist) in central London in 1868. Poor health scuppered his parents’ plans for a career for him in the Indian civil service, and eventually Bantock gravitated to music, studying at both Trinity College and at the Royal Academy of Music. Early conducting engagements took him around the world with a musical comedy troupe, before he was appointed as conductor of the New Brighton Tower concerts, in Cheshire. He very quickly expanded the scope of the orchestra, and staged concerts featuring works by Joseph Holbrooke, Frederic Hymen Cowen, Charles Steggall, Edward German, Hubert Parry, Charles Villiers Stanford, Frederick Corder, and others, frequently devoting whole concerts to a single composer. Edward Elgar commented that Bantock had ‘the most fertile musical brain of our time’.

On Elgar’s recommendation, he became the first Principal of the new Midland Institute School of Music, in Birmingham, and within seven years had succeeded Elgar as Peyton Professor of Music at the University of Birmingham, a post he held until 1934. His unique musical style combines the romanticism of Wagner with influences of English and Scottish folk music, as well as the exoticism of eastern music. He had many champions of his work, including Sibelius, who became the first president of the Bantock Society, formed after the composer’s death in 1946.

BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra
Rumon Gamba, conductor

Rumon Gamba
British conductor Rumon Gamba, who has served as the Chief Conductor of Oulu Sinfonia since the beginning of 2022, has signed a contract extension with the orchestra. The new contract covers the years 2025–2026, with an option for 2027–2028. Gamba will conduct the orchestra in Oulu for at least eight weeks per year and will be responsible for artistic planning together with the orchestra’s General Manager.

“We are fortunate to continue a highly successful collaboration with Gamba. In recent years, Oulu Sinfonia has seen an influx of new musicians. It has been crucial that an experienced conductor like Rumon Gamba has worked with the orchestra during this inspiring transitional period and is willing to commit to continued collaboration with us,” says General Manager Maija Kuusisto.

Rumon Gamba has had a distinguished career as a guest conductor and chief conductor with several European orchestras, particularly in the Nordic countries. Before joining Oulu Sinfonia, Gamba served as the Chief Conductor of the Norrlandsoperan in Umeå, the Aalborg Symphony Orchestra in Denmark, and the Iceland Symphony Orchestra. Throughout his career, Gamba has recorded extensively and has been nominated for a Grammy Award twice for his recordings with Chandos Records. Oulu Sinfonia’s and Gamba’s first recording together, album titled Overtures from Finland, was released in August 2023.

“I want to continue to widen the orchestra’s repertoire and develop the connection with our wonderful audience. I want the audience to know they can come to listen to absolutely anything we do, regardless of whether they know the music or not, and be guaranteed an experience that is unique”, Gamba describes.

Also Kuusisto highlights Gamba’s unique relationship with the audience. “I appreciate his innovative and open approach to programming. We share a common goal of achieving significant artistic results in Oulu, and we are committed to jointly taking responsibility for that.”

Booklet for Bantock: Orchestral Works