Arnold Bax

English composer Arnold Bax was born in Streatham, London, on 8 November 1883. His family had money, so Bax was able to concentrate on composing and writing. Known for his early works evoking 'Celtic twilight' - tone poems such as The Garden of Fand and Tintagel, Bax also wrote a series of symphonies. He died in Cork in Ireland, on 3 October 1953.

A selection of articles about Arnold Bax

Ensemble. Virtuoso Exuberance - Mike Wheeler listens to the Pelléas Ensemble at the Buxton Festival

CD Spotlight. Benjamin Britten and James Joyce - Giuseppe Pennisi listens to two sets of English folk and other songs. '... very good listening ...'

CD Spotlight. Fresh and Engaging - Villa-Lobos, Bax and Bolcom from Kerry Duwors and Futaba Niekawa, recommended by Geoff Pearce. '... the sheer musicianship, combined with flawless technique and imaginative programming, never fails to impress me.'

Ensemble. An Effective Combination - Music for viola and harp from Oliver Wass and Luba Tunnicliffe, reviewed by Mike Wheeler

CD Spotlight. A Fantastic Collection - Little-known harpsichord gems, strongly recommended by Alice McVeigh. '... succeeds utterly, as does the immaculately sensitive [Penelope] Cave.'

CD Spotlight. Home and Abroad - Piano music by Delius, Bax, Vaughan Williams and Bridge, heard by Howard Smith. 'Commanding resolute performances of music arisen from harrowing conflict.'

Fromage Dangereux - French-Canadian pianist Louise Bessette, heard by Mike Wheeler

CD Spotlight. Irridescent Colourings - The Debussy Ensemble, enjoyed by Bill Newman. '... beautifully balanced ...'

CD Spotlight. Uniquely English - A tribute to violinist Ralph Holmes, heard by Howard Smith. '... an invigorating spontaneity ...'

Finest Attributes - Wigmore Hall recitals by Danny Driver, and by Jack Liebeck and Katya Apekisheva, admired by Bill Newman

Ensemble. Highly Effective - Bax, Chopin and Prokofiev from Artur Pizarro, Mark Elder and the Hallé Orchestra, reviewed by Mike Wheeler

CD Spotlight. Elgar and Bax - A sepia album from World War I, heard by George Balcombe. '... intense emotion, beautifullly replicated ...'

Bizarre Perception - Alistair Hinton discusses a recent article on English music by David Hamilton

CD Spotlight. Pride of Place - Piano music by Frank Bridge, praised by Howard Smith. 'A standing ovation for Mark Bebbington ...'

Ensemble. A Geordie Knees-Up - John Wilson conducts the Hallé Orchestra, reviewed by Mike Wheeler

Ensemble. Expressive Power - Mike Wheeler listens to Natalie Clein and the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra

Ensemble. Beautifully Realised - Music for flute, viola and harp from The Wakeford Ensemble, reviewed by Mike Wheeler

Ensemble. The ideal match - Celebrating the tenth series of live music at London's Wallace Collection, by Bill Newman

Record box. Accomplished playing - Kumiko Ida's British piano album, appreciated by Patric Standford

Ensemble. Their Majesties' Music - Pippa Hare listens to the Choir of the 21st Century

Profile. Quality and clarity - Robert Hugill meets British pianist Ashley Wass

CD Spotlight. A pleasant surprise - The Maggini Quartet plays Bax and Ron Bierman listens. '... enthusiastic, first-class performances.'

CD Spotlight - Speaking for itself. An Arnold Bax symphony, welcomed by David Thompson. 'The present disc maintains these exalted standards.'

CD Spotlight - Celtic twilight. '... there is a welcome simplicity and integrity about the playing.' Listening to Arnold Bax, with Robert Anderson

Editorial musings - Finger tapping. Looking ahead, with Basil Ramsey

Speaking universally - A Yank's appreciation of British music, with Richard Krause

CD Spotlight - Fresh and stylish. 'Richard Edgar-Wilson gives musicianly interpretations of all works, admirably partnered by the Coull Quartet ...' Songs for tenor, with Trevor Hold

CD Spotlight - A paean of rejoicing. '... a sunburst carrying the listener forward and upwards to new quests of achievement.' Bax's Fifth Symphony with Bill Newman

CD Spotlight - A thing of beauty. '... David Lloyd-Jones and the Royal Scottish National Orchestra spontaneously reach new poetic-dramatic heights ...' Bax's Third Symphony with Bill Newman

CD Spotlight - Beauteous imagery. 'Mobius has been going from success to success since 1995.' Mobius play Bax, with Bill Newman