Brian, Hevergel

The pseudonym Hevergel William Bryan is derived from the names of local authors of church hymns. Brian was born in Drysden, a district of Stoke-on-Trent. After graduating from school, he had problems with obtaining decent work, and he himself learned the basics of music ^[1] . For some time he worked as an organist ^[2] of the Church in neighboring Cheshire . In 1895 he heard Elgar ’s choral rehearsal of “King Olaf” and became an ardent admirer of this composer, contemporary British composers, and also Richard Strauss . During a visit to music festivals, Brian became friends with the composer Grenville Bantok (1868–1946).

"English Suite" Brian attracted the attention of Henry Wood in 1907, who performed it at the Promenade Concerts in London . The piece was a great success, and Brian was able to conclude a contract for the publication and publication of his orchestral works. In the future, Brian's career was not so successful that can be explained by the composer's modesty.

In 1898, Brian married Elizabeth Priestley. Five children were born in this marriage. One of the sons was named Sterndale in honor of the composer William Sterndale Bennett . In 1907, an event occurred that was unusual for Britain in those years: local businessman Herbert Minton Robinson offered Brian an annual pension of £ 500 (at that time, middle-class income) with the condition that Brian would devote himself entirely to composition . It is believed that Robinson expected that Brian would soon "stand on his feet", earning his creative work, which did not happen. Brian took on several major works, but did not try to complete them, while doing unnecessary expenses like expensive products or a trip to Italy .

The composer's marriage broke up in 1917 because of the monetary disputes and Brian's handmaid Hilda Maria Hayward's fascination. The composer fled to London, where, despite criticism from the sponsor, he continued to receive part of his pension. The composer lived together with Hilda long enough, married only after his wife died in 1933. Hilda gave birth to Brian five more children. In London, Brian was actively involved in the composition, although he lived almost in poverty. During World War I volunteered for artillery , but did not participate in active hostilities. Fired due to a hand injury. Until 1915 he worked in the audit office of the Canadian Expeditionary Force. The composer's family moved to , near Birmingham , Warwickshire , and then moved places of residence around Sussex . Brian eventually got a job related to music: rewriting notes and arranging, published articles in The British Bandsman. In 1927, he was appointed Assistant Editor of the Musical Opinion magazine, and moved to London for this. He retired in 1940, devoting himself entirely to composing music. Later moved to Shorem-by-Sea.

Military experience gave the composer material for the first opera "Tigers". In 1920, he returned to writing symphonies, creating about a dozen before one of them was performed in the 50s thanks to the discovery of composer , composer and producer BBC , who asked Sir Adrian Boult in 1954 prepare the Eighth Symphony. Later, Brian wrote twenty-two more symphonies and other works.

The first amateur performance of the most famous work of Brian, written in 1919-1927, the , took place in 1961 under the direction of in the . In 1966, the first professional performance took place in the Albert Hall under the control of Boult. This performance was broadcast live, and was the first acquaintance with the music of the composer for most listeners. The music aroused considerable interest and by the time of death several more works of the composer were performed and recorded. After Brian's death, while Simpson had influence on the BBC, several more works were performed and recorded, two biographies and a three-volume symphony were published.

Only one major conductor, Leopold Stokowski, showed interest in Brian's music. Hearing the "Tragic Symphony", he said that he would like to perform works by the composer. The result was the premiere of the 1973 Symphony No. 28 at the BBC New Philharmonic Orchestra . Composer wrote in the newspaper The Daily Telegraph : "It was a charming event - a 91-year-old conductor was learning the work of a 91-year-old composer."

The music of Brian is influenced by Wagner , Bruckner , Elgar, Richard Strauss , Mahler and Bach . Brian was an organist like Bach and Bruckner. The organ repertoire strongly influenced the composer, and the organ is used in several of his symphonies. Also, music for brass bands had a strong influence - brass and size of the march are often used in the works. Frequently violin solos, attributed to the influence of Victorian music.