Bax: Symphony No. 3 - Vaughan Williams: Symphony No. 5

The British Council, a major organization promoting British culture for almost a century, has supervised numerous recordings of classical music, especially during the war times. With the help of this venerable institution, John Barbirolli recorded two major symphonies written by English composers: Arnold Bax’ third and Vaughan Williams’ fifth (one of his most popular), both very much inspired by Sibelius (the latter having been dedicated to the Finnish composer).

These recordings are landmarks in the history of British symphony, being the premiere on record of both works! Dated from December 1943, Barbirolli’s rendition of Bax is the earliest recording made by the newly constituted Hallé Orchestra.