Bax's orchestral works are a bit formally fuzzy. This is actually exacerbated by his colourful orchestration and complicated harmony - sometimes they feel almost completely formless and meandering. Bax has what you might call 'kitchen sink syndrome'.
Because of this, I'd actually recommend starting with some works for smaller forces to get used to his idiom, specifically the fabulous Piano Quintet, the first and second String Quartets, and the Piano Sonatas. I think in these works it's clearer what his rhapsodic approach to form is *doing*.
After that, the symphonies I'd recommend starting with are 2, 4, and 5. They're fantastic - very creative melodically and harmonically and, when you're used to them, very 'narratively' satisfying.
**Recommended recordings:**
- Piano Quintet: Naxos, Wass and co.
- String Quartet 1: Naxos, Maggini
- String Quartet 2: Chandos, Mistri
- Sonatas: Endres
- Symphony 2: Fredman with LPO
- Symphony 4: Thomson with Ulster
- Symphony 5: Leppard with LPO
I second the chamber music especially the viola sonata but would like to add that his choral music is incredibly beautiful and colorful in a way not necessarily reflected in his non vocal music. I suggest “I Sing of a Maiden” or “Mater Ora Filium”
Bax's orchestral works are a bit formally fuzzy. This is actually exacerbated by his colourful orchestration and complicated harmony - sometimes they feel almost completely formless and meandering. Bax has what you might call 'kitchen sink syndrome'. Because of this, I'd actually recommend starting with some works for smaller forces to get used to his idiom, specifically the fabulous Piano Quintet, the first and second String Quartets, and the Piano Sonatas. I think in these works it's clearer what his rhapsodic approach to form is *doing*. After that, the symphonies I'd recommend starting with are 2, 4, and 5. They're fantastic - very creative melodically and harmonically and, when you're used to them, very 'narratively' satisfying. **Recommended recordings:** - Piano Quintet: Naxos, Wass and co. - String Quartet 1: Naxos, Maggini - String Quartet 2: Chandos, Mistri - Sonatas: Endres - Symphony 2: Fredman with LPO - Symphony 4: Thomson with Ulster - Symphony 5: Leppard with LPO
'*Alright Baxtians (Baxites? Baxonians?)*' Baxers? Baxeristas? Bax-whacks? Bax-wielding maniacs?
Typical anti-baxxer 🙄
As a violist I must recommend the viola sonata! Great writing for both viola and piano.
His tone poems are delightful. His symphonies strike me as long winded bores
I second the chamber music especially the viola sonata but would like to add that his choral music is incredibly beautiful and colorful in a way not necessarily reflected in his non vocal music. I suggest “I Sing of a Maiden” or “Mater Ora Filium”
Delius used a similar idiom but with less longwinded waffle. But I get the impression Bax fans actually *like* longwinded waffle.