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<\/span><\/span>Christopher Gunning – Symphonies 2, 10 and 12, BBC National Orchestra of Wales, Kenneth Woods (Signum)<\/h2>\n\t£<\/span>12.00<\/bdi><\/span><\/span>\n<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n
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Christopher Gunning: Symphonies 2, 10 & 12<\/strong>\u00a0BBC National Orchestra of Wales\/Kenneth Woods<\/em>\u00a0(Signum)<\/p>\nYou\u2019ve probably heard Christopher Gunning\u2019s music without realising it: he\u2019s been a prolific film and television\u00a0composer<\/a>\u00a0for decades. A pupil of both Edmund Rubbra and of Richard Rodney Bennett, he’s best known for the insidiously catchy theme for ITV\u2019s long-running\u00a0Poirot<\/em>\u00a0series. Three of\u00a0Gunning\u2019s<\/a>\u00a012 symphonies are included here, written between 2003 and 2018. Whereas many contemporary film composers specialise in short, colourful bursts of descriptive music, Gunning knows how to organise and structure his ideas. Think Herrmann rather than Elfman. You sense this within seconds of 2016\u2019s single-movement Symphony No. 10 beginning, the expressive, wandering string melody surely a nod to the start of Mahler’s final symphony. Waiting for this slow theme to land, to find its feet, is thrilling, and hearing how Gunning develops it over 21 minutes is both moving and entertaining. He clearly knows his Sibelius 7th (check out the closing bars), and he’s mastered the art of the seamless transition, the symphony\u2019s various sections perfectly knitted together. It’s a real find, Gunning\u2019s broadly tonal style both distinctive and appealing. Kenneth Woods and the BBC National Orchestra of Wales audibly believe in the work: the performance is excellent.<\/p>\n
Symphony No. 2 is a brooding three-movement work. Again, there’s a superb opening, the stygian bass clarinet theme forcing the music into life. The theme\u2019s loud reprise at the end of the symphony is one of those moments where you feel like cheering with delight. Yes, it’s borderline corny, but managed so well. In Gunning’s words, No. 12 came from his desire \u201cto write something more direct, even melodic\u2026 the textures are mostly clear and uncomplicated.\u201d There’s a poignant second movement inspired by a friend\u2019s funeral, tubular bells tolling as the symphony ebbs away. It’s beautiful, the nods to Walton and Arnold never obscuring Gunning’s own voice. Do investigate.<\/p>\n