Spring Fire (GP153) is an early orchestral work of Bax that can be described as a cross between Ravel's magnificent Daphnis et Chloe, and one of R.Strauss' more exuberant tone-poems. Often described as a symphony, this work has four movements that play on from each other, with distinct themes developed within each.
Spring Fire had a shaky start. Its premiere was delayed after the piece was considered too hard. Having witnessed a modern professional orchestra sightread this work, this excuse doesn't stand up so readily. However, orchestras in those days had limited rehearsals, often beginning a work the day before the performance, and it wouldn't surprise me that weariness over a short rehearsal scuppered this project.
Alas, the First World War broke out shortly afterwards in 1914, and a second attempt at performing the work fell through. A final hope was raised in 1919 when Balfour Gardiner, a friend of Bax's and a composer in his own right, offered to conduct it, but that plan too fell through. And so, Spring Fire was doomed to eternal silence. Bax recycled a number of themes: the opening tune in cellos forms the slow movemnet of his Cello Sonata. The triumphant brass writing finds its way into Fanfares written for Queen Elizabeth II at her coronation.
The piece was eventually premiered in 1970, several decades after Bax's death, using handwritten parts. This new critical-performing edition was first played by BBC Philharmonic under John Wilson in Feb. 2024 and also recorded.
Critical-performing edition of Bax's youthful and vibrant tone poem 'Spring Fire'. Duration: 30mins
Instrumentation: 3[1.2.3/picc]3[1.2.3/ca]4[1.2.3.bcl]3[1.2.cbsn]6331.tmp.3-4pc.pno.cel.2hp and strings [9.8.7.6.5]
Available in two sizes: Large and Standard (A3, B4).
Pages: 112
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Left: conductor's score
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