George Lloyd
1913-1998
Lloyd is a Cornish composer. His sticking to tonal, melodic music, against a strong tide of modernism, is the composer's finest attribute.
Like other 20th Century composers, Lloyd suffered the tragedies of serving at war. In this respect, I find Lloyd's most personal music some of his finest. Otherwise, his music is easily approachable for a wide audience, although his middle symphonies seem to be his most beloved.
The composer really came into his own through the championship of conductor Edward Downes, the BBC, and pianist John Ogden. Also, with advocacy from Albany Records, Lloyd himself was able to set down most of his compositions to record, and very fine ones they are.
If you are looking for recordings to sample from George Lloyd, the George Lloyd Estate and The George Lloyd Society keeps a pretty firm lock on his properties, so don't expect to find full recordings or scores online.
In 2024, Lyrita reissued most of Albany's aging recordings as a quasi set, complete with new liner notes, so recent interest has once again accrued around the composer. Hopefully his genial music can continue to find a new audience.
Recordings and reviews currently on hand (Click below to visit):
Recordings
Brass Works
Piano Concertos
Requiem & Psalm 130
Symphonic Mass & Litany
Symphonies 1-6 (set)
Symphonies 1 & 2
Symphony 3 & Charade
Symphony 4 & Overture
Symphonies 5 & 6
Symphonies 7-12 (set)
Symphonies 7 & 8
Symphonies 9 & 10
Symphony 11
Symphony 12 & Suite
Vigil of Venus
Violin & Cello Concertos
Brass Works
Piano Concertos
Requiem & Psalm 130
Symphonic Mass & Litany
Symphonies 1-6 (set)
Symphonies 1 & 2
Symphony 3 & Charade
Symphony 4 & Overture
Symphonies 5 & 6
Symphonies 7-12 (set)
Symphonies 7 & 8
Symphonies 9 & 10
Symphony 11
Symphony 12 & Suite
Vigil of Venus
Violin & Cello Concertos