Hans Gál: Symphony no 1

Day 242

Hans Gál: Symphony no 1

Orchestra of the Swan

Kenneth Woods

I was aware of Hans Gál as a writer on music from my student days - he wrote the BBC music guide on the Schumann symphonies among other publications - but I was unaware that he also composed. Over the last couple of decades I have become aware, mainly through reviews in Gramophone Magazine, that he was a composer as there has been something of a revival of his music. He was one of the many musicians forced out of Germany in the 1930s who found exile in this country. He lived to 97 and by the time of his death - 1987 - was one of the last links to the old German romantic tradition. For example he helped Mandyczewski- a member of the Brahms circle - with the publication of the Brahms complete edition.

This symphony is very much rooted in the Viennese tradition with overtones particularly of Brahms but also of Bruckner and to some extent Mahler. That is except in the scherzo, which has a a much more contemporary feel - it is a sardonic burlesque which has strong hints of Stravinsky and Hindemith, and even a touch of Prokofiev,

Like much of the music of little known composer that I have listened to in this project it is attractive and well worth hearing without perhaps reflecting a distinctive enough personality to keep its place in a very crowded field - there is just so much music out there…..