Tubin Symphony no 3

 Day 65

Tubin Symphony no 3 (Heroic)

BBC Philharmonic Orchestra

Kristjan Järvi

I knew Tubin by name and I was aware from reviews in Gramophone over the years that he was a highly admired symphonists, but as far as I am aware I have never heard a note of his music. So I had no real idea what to expect, particularly as I didn’t have access to a score.

I enjoyed this symphony a lot.  It is clearly a post-Sibelian work and I think that if you heard it without any foreknowledge you might think that it was by Walton with perhaps tinges of Vaughan Williams. Yet at other times it reminded me (particularly in the final movement) of some of the extrovert music of Respighi, such as the Pines of Rome. The middle movement was particularly attractive - a fast scherzo with a more contemplative and lyrical middle section. Perhaps the final movement is a little overblown at times but it certainly brought the piece to a satisfying conclusion. There are 10 Tubin symphonies plus another fragment, so there is plenty more to go at. I’d certainly enjoy exploring more of his music. 

There is a lovely anecdote on the Wikipedia page on Tubin , where it says that after his parents became aware of his musical interest they sold a cow in order to be able to buy a piano for him. I do hope that that is true.