PREFACE
MY PURPOSE in undertaking this examination of the work of a composer whose music I enjoy, but whose works are rarely performed, was to find out what makes Alwyn's music tick. This slightly colloquial expression will have to suffice in the absence of any academic term to accurately describe a demonstration, which deals extensively with aesthetic concepts about which there can never be widespread agreement, of what is outstanding about this man and his work.
This aim necessitated not just study of the music, but finding out the background of Alwyn's philosophy and motivation, so the dissertation begins with a biographical chapter concentrating on those people and ideas that were the most important influences on him, and on the development of his style and technique.
When choosing a work or works to examine in detail, to demonstrate the soundness of his craftsmanship and application of his aims and techniques, Alwyn's Third Symphony proved to be an excellent illustration of everything he strove to achieve, so an analytical essay about this work forms my central chapter. It is often held that a progressive account from beginning to end is one of the worst methods of analysis, but Alwyn's compositional process of allowing ideas to grow and develop from each other as a work continues dictates that that method is the most illuminating way of tracing his thoughts, and there are plenty of occasions on which points with wider implications arise for observation.
My intention was to derive from this analysis an objective assessment of how Alwyn's music makes its effect. I probably should have predicted that this would extend into advocacy, and into the analysis, running through my chapter of conclusions, of some of the reasons why not all wonderful art is famous.
BIBLIOGRAPHY
Alwyn, M., Alwyn, W., Foreman, L., Hold, T., Mann, W. Miscellaneous notes accompanying recordings of Alwyn's music
Alwyn, W. "1066 And All That", Composer 16 (1965), pp 23-25
Alwyn, W. "Ariel to Miranda", ADAM 316-17-18 (1967)
Alwyn, W. Winter in Copenhagen Southwold Press (1971)
Alwyn, W. Daphne, or The Pursuit of Beauty Southwold Press (1972)
Alwyn, W. "The Opinions of Dr Crotch", Royal Academy of Music Magazine (Autumn 1974), pp 7-11 & (Spring 1975), pp 3-9
Alwyn, W. "William Alwyn's Opera 'Miss Julie' ", Musical Opinion 1200 (October 1977), pp 30-31
Alwyn, W. Winged Chariot Southwold Press (1983)
anon Music of William Alwyn (catalogue). London: Alfred Lengnick & Co. Ltd. (1958)
Culot, H. "William Alwyn", British Music Society Journal 7 (1985), pp 17-29
Hayes, M. Untitled record review, Tempo (December, 1992), pp 46-48
Hesford, B. "A Critic's Choice", Musical Opinion 1200 (October 1977), p 29
Hold, T. "The Music of William Alwyn", Composer 43, pp 22-24, & 44, pp 15-20 (1972)
Hold, T. Profile in William Alwyn - a Catalogue of his Music compiled by S. Craggs and A. Poulton. Hindhead: Bravura Publications (1985)
Huntley, J and Manvell, R. The Technique of Film Music London: Focal Press (1957: rev 1975)
Mann, W. "Alwyn's 'Miss Julie' ", Opera (July 1977), pp 641-645
Marsh, I. Untitled record review Gramophone (November 1994), p 96
Palmer, C. "A Master of Many Arts", Gramophone (November 1994), pp 20-21
Pirie, P. J. "English Backwaters", Music and Musicians (July 1979), p 36
Routh, F. Contemporary British Music 1945 - 1970 London: Macdonald (1972), pp 55-69
Vanson, F. "Profile - William Alwyn, FRAM", Royal Academy of Music Magazine (Spring 1977), pp 3-6
Additional reading
Alwyn, W. The World in my Mind Southwold Press (1976)
Alwyn, W. "Mascagni's 'Il Piccolo Marat' ", Opera (December 1977)
Reviews of Alwyn's music
Cooper, M. Autumn Legend Musical Times (September 1955), p 489
Crichton, R. Concerto Grosso No 3 Musical Times (October 1964), p 753
Hull, R. Symphony No 4 Musical Times (October 1959), p 538
Larner, G. Sinfonietta Musical Times (September 1970), p 912
Mitchell, D. String Quartet No 1 Musical Times (June 1954), p 324
Ottaway, H. Lyra Angelica Musical Times (September 1954), p 481
Ottaway, H. Symphony No 3 Musical Times (December 1956), p 645
Vanson, F. Sinfonietta The Strad (November 1976), pp 579-581