Uploaded February 2021 | Updated September 2026, 2 hours ago
Sir Arnold Edward Trevor Bax KCVO (8 November 1883 – 3 October 1953).
We love Bax, particularly the early symphonic poems and the Oliver Twist score. There is a quality to his output which has inspired a devoted following;.epic grandeur, the world of legend, nature and faerie.
The second piano sonata, the most popular and successful, dates from his early signature period. It moves in like storm clouds over a wild seascape, traverses through gloom and darkness to bursts of splendid color, finally to an epilogue that fades to a peaceful and optimistic conclusion. The overall form defies analysis, and engages the imagination to surrender to it’s discursive, dramatic flow.
27 minutes is a long slog, so here are a few signposts:
Moderato Eroico. Brazen and Glittering 4:07
Lento. melancholy 6:21
Allegro moderato. whispering 6:35
Presto 9:40
Lento. Very still and concentrated 10:16
Pesante 12:25
Vivace 13:20
Tempo primo. Trionfale 14:05
Tempo primo (recap) 15:20
(6/8) 18:23
Molto Largamente. 19:47
mysterious 20:58
Lento. 22:36
Poco più mosso 23:42
Interestingly, Ken Russell made The Secret Life of Arnold Bax (1992). He was so drawn to the project that he played the role of Bax himself.
disclaimer: no pianos were harmed in the making of this video
Sir Arnold Edward Trevor Bax KCVO (8 November 1883 – 3 October 1953).
We love Bax, particularly the early symphonic poems and the Oliver Twist score. There is a quality to his output which has inspired a devoted following;.epic grandeur, the world of legend, nature and faerie.
The second piano sonata, the most popular and successful, dates from his early signature period. It moves in like storm clouds over a wild seascape, traverses through gloom and darkness to bursts of splendid color, finally to an epilogue that fades to a peaceful and optimistic conclusion. The overall form defies analysis, and engages the imagination to surrender to it’s discursive, dramatic flow.
27 minutes is a long slog, so here are a few signposts:
Moderato Eroico. Brazen and Glittering 4:07
Lento. melancholy 6:21
Allegro moderato. whispering 6:35
Presto 9:40
Lento. Very still and concentrated 10:16
Pesante 12:25
Vivace 13:20
Tempo primo. Trionfale 14:05
Tempo primo (recap) 15:20
(6/8) 18:23
Molto Largamente. 19:47
mysterious 20:58
Lento. 22:36
Poco più mosso 23:42
Interestingly, Ken Russell made The Secret Life of Arnold Bax (1992). He was so drawn to the project that he played the role of Bax himself.
disclaimer: no pianos were harmed in the making of this video
