Frederic Cliffe (1857-1931) - Symphony No.1 · Cloud and Sunshine

 

 

Frederic Cliffe (1857-1931)

 

Symphony No.1 in C minor, Op.1

I. Allegro non troppo
II. Scherzo. Allegro molto
III. Ballade. Andante con espressione - Tempo placido - Lento
IV. Finale. Allegro vivace - Andante maestoso

Orchestral picture: Cloud and sunshine - Largo - Allegro - Andante - Allegro

 

Christopher Fifield maestro

Malmö Opera Orchestra

 

 

 

 

Frederic Cliffe (1857-1931) was an English composer.
As a youth, Cliffe showed a promising musical aptitude and was enrolled as a scholar of the National Training School for Music, the parent of the Royal College of Music, under its first Principal Arthur Sullivan.
From 1884 to 1931 he held the post of Professor of Piano at the Royal College of Music. Among his pupils were John Ireland and Arthur Benjamin.
Cliffe had a short career as a composer from 1889 to 1905. His principal works were two Symphonies, the first of which was produced at The Crystal Palace in 1889, and subsequently performed at a Philharmonic concert, being well received on each occasion, with The Daily Telegraph hailing it as "a masterpiece". Although not overtly programmatic, its first movement was influenced by a visit to Norway by Cliffe. It was published by Novello. His Second Symphony had its first performance at the Leeds Festival in 1892. Cliffe gave titles to each of its movements: I. At Sunset. II. Night. III. Fairy Revels. IV. Morning. It has been edited (2010) by Lionel Harrison and published by Patrick Meadows.

Works
Symphony in C minor , 1889
Orchestral Picture: Cloud and Sunshine, Philharmonic Society 1890
Symphony in E minor, 1892 (pub. 2010 Soundpost)
Violin Concerto in D minor, 1896 (pub. 2007 Soundpost)
The Triumph of Alcestis, Scena for Contralto and Orchestra, Sheffield Festival 1902
Ode to the North-East Wind, Choral Ballad, Norwich Festival 1905

Frederic Cliffe - Symphony No.1·Cloud and Sunshine (2003, Sterling)

Frederic Cliffe - Violin Concerto ~10 (2011, hyperion)