Cyril Scott: The Twilight of the Year, from 'Poems'

Cyril Scott (1879-1970) is best known today for his piano piece 'Lotus Land', but is other works (harmonically advanced for their day) are beginning to be recorded and performed more widely than for many years. This piece (an appropriate upload for the British mid-winter) is prefaced by a poem from Scott's own collection 'The Grave of Eros and the Book of Mournful Melodies with dreams from the East'. To give a flavour of its style, it ends woth the words 'We sing entwined - no longer can we read the sunless dial; / And e'en the wasted willows whisper weary words.' For more information on Scott's life and music, have a look at the site set up by his granddaughter Amanta (herself a musician): http://www.cyrilscott.net
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Played by Phillip Sear
http://www.psear.co.uk

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Cyril
• ScottTwilight
• Year
• piano
• English
• British
• classical
• phillip
• sear

[Gothick49]

Very nice work. I first came to know and love the Poems as a teenager back in the 1970s through the Martha Ann Verbit recording. I like the somewhat brisk tempo with which you play this, particularly the first half; as this comes closer to the composer's own performance practice in surviving recordings (a selection of these were released in CD on the Dutton label a few years back).

In the coda, your phrasing captures just the right note of wistful regret. Thanks again.

[PSearPianist]

Your comments are much appreciated, and thanks for sharing your thoughts with me. In choosing a tempo, I have to take accoont of the limitations of my piano, and of this medium.

[TommyWestbrook]

Thank you for playing these Scott pieces. I knew this music sounded familiar so I checked my old LP collection and I indeed have an old Genesis LP (1974 - Martha Anne Verbit, piano) which has Danse Negre, Lotus Land, Poems (Poppies, The Garden of Soul-sympathy, Bells and The Twilight of the Year) as well as the Piano Sonata #1 (yawn, unfortunately). Thanks again.

[PSearPianist]

Interesting to hear that this music was available on record that far back.

[XxKontraxX]

Do you know "Indian serenade" ??? I searched everywhere, but can't find, it is my favourite (

[PSearPianist]

I'm afraid I don't have it, and don't think I have ever heard it. However, if you like Cyril Scott, I have just uploaded 'Asphodel' and 'Intermezzo'.

[XxKontraxX]

woow thanks for great information!

[XxKontraxX]

Oh, I can send you a scan, if you want. Not shure,if it really was written by him, because i searched all over the internet and didn't find it... But sounds very similar ti his unque style.

[XxKontraxX]

Thank You!!!

[Gothick49]

Hi,

Indian serenade is one of the movements in the Indian Suite. It was recorded in the Dutton Lab Cyril Scott Piano music series by Leslie De'ath.

Bernard Herrmann made an arrangement of the Indian suite which was recorded for Voice of America radio broadcast and the transcription disc is still in the Library of Congress collection. It's a wonderful orchestral setting of these pieces. Perhaps someday it will be released so those who have come to know this remarkable composer can enjoy it.