Eugene Goossens

 

Sir Eugene Goossens photo

Sir Eugene Goossens
1893-1962


Goossens will be better known to most listeners as a conductor. Akin to Markevitch and Paray, there are many such composer / conductors who find renowned success in one venture over the other. Yet, those who strike hot in the conducting world often can't leave behind the compositional bug, even if conducting takes much of their time.

Though his conducting takes the limelight, Sir Eugene's compositions are lucky to have a decent amount of recordings. There is a wonderful triad of orchestral works on Chandos which I will cover, and another on ABC Classics with even more music under Vernon Handley. Otherwise, Goossens composed chamber and keyboard works, as well as an opera and oratorio to explore.

In a very general sense, Goossens' musical style takes a modernist stance from the likes of Debussy and Stravinsky, as was the case for many composers who broached across the 20th Century. Yet, there is a Romantic appeal to his music as well, often reminiscent of Grainger to my ears.

Of course, one cannot speak of Sir Eugene Goossens without mentioning his arrangements. The most infamous is his full symphony-orchestra version of Handel's Messiah, done so at the behest of Sir Thomas Beecham. It is a hoot!

 

 

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Personally, after listening to Goossens' music again, I would start with Sir Andrew Davis' 2013 orchestral survey for those who are first exploring his music. It offers an array of light and serious music from the composer, and could inform a listener whether or not they would have an interest in moving on to his heavier works.

For those with stronger stomachs for modernism than I, both of his Phantasy Concertos and Second Symphony were tough listens for me, yet could appeal to braver listeners. I really took to Goossens' Concertino for Strings and Oboe Concerto, and I believe his First Symphony to be a rather strong composition.