Donald Satz <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
>That's great news. Now, would somebody please tell what type of music
>he composed?
Well, shortly put, he was one of Britain's very first dodecaphonists,
together with Elizabeth Lutyens and others (including Frankel to some
extent). He also was a specialist of Liszt and his famous Piano Sonata
(famous but I never heard it, unfortunately) was premiered on the centenary
day of Liszt's B-minor Sonata and modelled on the same pattern, I think.
Regarded as too Romantic in his time, Searle is now enjoying a deserved
revival, since his symphonies are vital, challenging, display a fine sense
of timbres and rhythm. His 1st symphony is a powerhouse, but No. 3 might
be more significant as regards the range of his inspiration, and No. 5 is
closer to Webern. I should hear them again to be more precise, but this
definitely is a composer worth discovering. (Well, many are, but this one
has direct appeal as a distinct voice in the world of post-war symphony,
even though his operas -- Diary of a Madman? -- seem to be just as
essential.)
Best wishes,
Thanh-Tam Le
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