Violin Concerto • Symphony No 18 • The Jolly Miller (Overture)

Released by Naxos in 2005, this recording is part of an ongoing effort to bring the music of British composer Havergal Brian to a wider audience. Brian, whose career spanned a significant portion of the 20th century, was long considered an enigma due to the gargantuan scale and complex orchestrations of his works, particularly his symphonies. This collection features the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra under the baton of Lionel Friend, providing a critical interpretation of the Violin Concerto, the eighteenth symphony, and the overture 'The Jolly Miller'.

The production was spearheaded by Naxos as part of their commitment to recording overlooked 20th-century repertoire. Marat Bisengaliev serves as the soloist for the Violin Concerto, a work that captures Brian's idiosyncratic harmonic language and thematic density. The release was met with appreciation from classical music critics who praised the clarity of the recording and the orchestra's dedication to navigating Brian's dense, often challenging scores, which are known for their demanding technical requirements and expansive emotional range.