George Lloyd
George Lloyd Archive of Scores and Recordings moves to Lyrita Nimbus Arts
The Trustees of Lyrita Nimbus Arts (LNA) reached an exclusive agreement in 2023 with The George Lloyd Society (GLS) to take over sale and hire of all George Lloyd’s scores held by the Society, as well as the commercial exploitation of the recordings made by the Society in the 1990s, conducted by the composer.
The Trustees of Lyrita Nimbus Arts (LNA) reached an exclusive agreement in 2023 with The George Lloyd Society (GLS) to take over sale and hire of all George Lloyd’s scores held by the Society, as well as the commercial exploitation of the recordings made by the Society in the 1990s, conducted by the composer.
     |  George Lloyd (1913-98) is remembered mostly for his twelve symphonies; his compositions also include operas, choral works, concertos, piano and chamber music. LNA approached GLS with a proposal that involves the complete digitisation of George Lloyd's scores and his entire record archive represented in new compilations. Going beyond preservation, LNA's Trustees believe Lloyd’s music is ripe for rediscovery by concert managers and music lovers. His music, particularly the operas, won great praise and popularity before World War Two. When broadcasting and concert life changed direction in the 1960s, his style - dramatic, large-scale, richly orchestrated, unafraid of a big tune - fell out of favour. We believe that George Lloyd’s time has come again and will use the combined resources of the Lyrita Nimbus Arts charity and Lyrita label, together with the manufacturing, printing, publishing and distribution arms of Nimbus Records, to support this venture. William Lloyd was the composer’s business manager and executive producer; he has administered his record company and musical estate for the last twenty-five years. He writes: 'Our agreement with Lyrita Nimbus Arts is another milestone in the extraordinary story of George Lloyd and his music. The Lyrita label was responsible for issuing the first three commercial recordings of Lloyd’s symphonies over 40 years ago, and it is entirely fitting that Lyrita Nimbus will now take the complete catalogue of scores and recordings into the future. Lloyd was fiercely independent, and with the invaluable assistance of Albany Records USA, together with some of the best engineers and recording producers in the business and his loyal audience, he was able to maintain that independence from mainstream publishers and record companies. This allowed him to record over 20 albums under his own baton, and to publish his extensive catalogue under the imprint of the George Lloyd Music Library, but it came at a price. His commercial success was remarkable and was sufficient to finance all the recording and printing, but until now we have not had the international marketing reach, the in-house manufacturing and printing, and the digital distribution platforms which are required by the new global markets. This is a perfect match for us, and it is a great vindication of Lloyd’s faith in the enduring quality of his work that Lyrita have recognised its value and committed significant resources to bringing his music to a new audience.' Because George Lloyd’s personal attention is a dominating influence on the scores and recordings – which mostly he conducted himself – we have decided to headline this representation the ‘Signature Edition’. Scores will be cleaned, new orchestral parts created and recordings reorganised into affordable sets with new notes commissioned from Paul Conway. All digital platforms will have access to a unified and comprehensive offering from a single source. |
'Hugely impressive, splendidly designed musical architecture.'
Stuart Millson, Quarterly Review, 29 February 2024
Stuart Millson, Quarterly Review, 29 February 2024
'It is an extraordinary journey to hear the whole of George Lloyd’s symphonies over a single period of time, a psychodrama if ever there was one.' Geoffrey Atkinson, British Music Society Journal
26 February 2024 (Symphones 1-6) and 22 March 2024 (Symphonies 7-12)
26 February 2024 (Symphones 1-6) and 22 March 2024 (Symphonies 7-12)
'An absolute must-have for anyone deeply invested in powerful and polished 20th century symphonic writing.'
Jean-Yves Dupperon, Classical Music Sentinel, March 2024
Jean-Yves Dupperon, Classical Music Sentinel, March 2024
'Those of us who have admired Lloyd’s music for many years will welcome the consolidation of his legacy in this way and will hope it stimulates more performances and perpetuates his name even more.'
Jonathan Woolf, MusicWeb International, 13 March 2024
Jonathan Woolf, MusicWeb International, 13 March 2024
'Lloyd’s music is direct even when elusive, commanding even when equivocal, and is strongly lyrical – some of his lyricism is simply unforgettable. It is also richly, ripely and colourfully orchestrated.'
Symphonies No.7-12: Jonathan Woolf, MusicWeb International, 9 April 2024
Symphonies No.7-12: Jonathan Woolf, MusicWeb International, 9 April 2024
'Rejoice! A glorious symphonic cycle by a British composer has been issued as a set for the first time.'
Damian Thompson, The Spectator, 13 April 2024
Damian Thompson, The Spectator, 13 April 2024
'Both sets of symphonies are valuable and incredibly well priced ... they should top the wishlist of any lover of orchestral music.' F.A.R., American Record Guide, 2024
'Richard Whitehouse applauds Lyrita’s advocacy on behalf of George Lloyd.'
Richard Whitehouse, Gramophone, 23 May 2024
Richard Whitehouse, Gramophone, 23 May 2024
All scores now available from Lyrita.
The recordings are being released by Lyrita between March 2024 and early 2025, with accompanying sheet music published by Lyrita Nimbus Arts:
www.lnarts.org www.lyrita.co.uk www.georgelloyd.com
Electronic press kits and pre-release listening links for reviewers are available from Ulysses Arts.
The recordings are being released by Lyrita between March 2024 and early 2025, with accompanying sheet music published by Lyrita Nimbus Arts:
www.lnarts.org www.lyrita.co.uk www.georgelloyd.com
Electronic press kits and pre-release listening links for reviewers are available from Ulysses Arts.
GEORGE LLOYD SIGNATURE EDITION AUDIO RELEASES
1 MARCH 2024
SRCD2417: Symphonies Volume 1
No. 1-6; Charade ‘Scenes from the ‘60s'
Overture John Socman
BBC Philharmonic Orchestra
Albany Symphony Orchestra
George Lloyd, conductor
5 APRIL 2024
SRCD 2418: Symphonies Volume 2
No. 7 - 12 (quadruple album)
BBC Philharmonic Orchestra
Philharmonia Orchestra
Albany Symphony Orchestra
George Lloyd, conductor
3 MAY 2024
SRCD 420: Requiem and Psalm 130
The Exon Singers
Stephen Wallace, countertenor
Jeffrey Makinson, organ
Matthew Owens, conductor
SRCD 2419: A Litany and A Symphony Mass
Janice Watson, soprano
Jeremy White, bass-baritone
Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra
Brighton Festival Chorus
Philharmonia Orchestra and Guildford Choral Society
George Lloyd, conductor
7 JUNE 2024
SRCD 2421: The Piano Concertos
No. 1 ‘Scapegoat’, 2, 3 and 4 (double album)
Martin Roscoe, piano
Kathryn Stott, piano
BBC Philharmonic Orchestra
London Symphony Orchestra
George Lloyd, conductor
SRCD 2421: The Piano Concertos
No. 1 ‘Scapegoat’, 2, 3 and 4 (double album)
Martin Roscoe, piano
Kathryn Stott, piano
BBC Philharmonic Orchestra
London Symphony Orchestra
George Lloyd, conductor
5 JULY 2024
SRCD2422: The Violin and 'Cello Concertos
(double album)
Violin Concerto No. 1 and No. 2
'Cello Concerto
Cristina Anghelescu, violin
Anthony Ross, 'cello
Philharmonia and Albany Symphony Orchestras
David Parry and David Alan Miller, conductors
SRCD2422: The Violin and 'Cello Concertos
(double album)
Violin Concerto No. 1 and No. 2
'Cello Concerto
Cristina Anghelescu, violin
Anthony Ross, 'cello
Philharmonia and Albany Symphony Orchestras
David Parry and David Alan Miller, conductors
2 AUGUST 2024
SRCD 2423: The Piano Works: Solo and Duo: double album
The Lilly Leaf and The Grasshopper, The Transformation of that Naked Ape, An African Shrine, The Road through Samarkand, St. Antony and the Beggar, Intercom Baby. For two Pianos - Aubade, Eventide, The Road Through Samarkand.
Anthony Goldstone and Caroline Clemmow, piano duo
Kathryn Stott; Martin Roscoe
SRCD 2423: The Piano Works: Solo and Duo: double album
The Lilly Leaf and The Grasshopper, The Transformation of that Naked Ape, An African Shrine, The Road through Samarkand, St. Antony and the Beggar, Intercom Baby. For two Pianos - Aubade, Eventide, The Road Through Samarkand.
Anthony Goldstone and Caroline Clemmow, piano duo
Kathryn Stott; Martin Roscoe
SRCD 0425: The Works for Brass
Royal Parks, Diversions on a Bass Theme, Evening Song, H.M.S. Trinidad March, English Heritage, A Miniature Tryptic
John Foster
Black Dyke Mills Band, conducted by David King
Equale Brass Quintet
Royal Parks, Diversions on a Bass Theme, Evening Song, H.M.S. Trinidad March, English Heritage, A Miniature Tryptic
John Foster
Black Dyke Mills Band, conducted by David King
Equale Brass Quintet
5 SEPTEMBER 2024: Score Publications
SRMP 0105-0114:
Aubade | Eventide
Road Through Samarkand for Two Piano (and version for solo piano)
Lullaby | St. Anthony & the Beggar | The Agressive Fishes
The Lily-leaf the Grasshopper | The Transformation of that Naked Ape
An African Shrine
SRMP 0105-0114:
Aubade | Eventide
Road Through Samarkand for Two Piano (and version for solo piano)
Lullaby | St. Anthony & the Beggar | The Agressive Fishes
The Lily-leaf the Grasshopper | The Transformation of that Naked Ape
An African Shrine
1 NOVEMBER 2024
SRCD0424: The Works for Violin & Piano
Lament for Violin & Piano, Air and Dance
Sonata for Violin & Piano
Seven extracts from The Serf
Tasmin Little, violin and Martin Roscoe, piano
Ruth Rogers, violin and Simon Callaghan, piano
SRCD0424: The Works for Violin & Piano
Lament for Violin & Piano, Air and Dance
Sonata for Violin & Piano
Seven extracts from The Serf
Tasmin Little, violin and Martin Roscoe, piano
Ruth Rogers, violin and Simon Callaghan, piano
 |  |  |  |
SRMP 0031 – The Dying Tree (1992), for large orchestra, 10 minutes
A single movement orchestral sketch, first performed at London's Barbican Centre in 1994 by the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra with the composer conducting. The Dying Tree is one of Loyd's few works not yet been recorded.
SRMP 0033 – Floating Cloud (1993), for large orchestra, 16 minutes
A single movement orchestral sketch. First performed in 1993 by the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra with the composer conducting. Floating Cloud is one of the few works that has not yet been recorded.
SRMP 0035 – In Memoriam (1984), for large orchestra, 6 minutes
In Memoriam pays heartfelt tribute to seven young bandsmen murdered by IRA terrorists on 20 July 1982 as they played in their band in Regent’s Park.
SRMP 0037 – Le Pont du Gard, for large orchestra, 10 minutes
A single movement orchestral sketch, inspired by the ancient Roman aqueduct that crosses the Gardon River in Vers-Pont du Gard near Remoulins in Southern France, were Lloyd spent a summer holiday.
A single movement orchestral sketch, first performed at London's Barbican Centre in 1994 by the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra with the composer conducting. The Dying Tree is one of Loyd's few works not yet been recorded.
SRMP 0033 – Floating Cloud (1993), for large orchestra, 16 minutes
A single movement orchestral sketch. First performed in 1993 by the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra with the composer conducting. Floating Cloud is one of the few works that has not yet been recorded.
SRMP 0035 – In Memoriam (1984), for large orchestra, 6 minutes
In Memoriam pays heartfelt tribute to seven young bandsmen murdered by IRA terrorists on 20 July 1982 as they played in their band in Regent’s Park.
SRMP 0037 – Le Pont du Gard, for large orchestra, 10 minutes
A single movement orchestral sketch, inspired by the ancient Roman aqueduct that crosses the Gardon River in Vers-Pont du Gard near Remoulins in Southern France, were Lloyd spent a summer holiday.
DATE TBC
SRCD2426: John Socman (1951) - the complete opera (double album)
Using the composer’s suggestions, we presents the complete opera by combining the composer's studio recording of excerpts with a BBC broadcast recorded 'off-air' by Lyrita's founder Richard Itter.
4 APRIL 2025, TBC
SRCD2427: Iernin (1934) - the complete opera (triple album), recorded in 1985, conducted by the composer with the BBC Concert Orchestra and Marilyn Hill-Smith in the title role (triple album)
SRCD2427: Iernin (1934) - the complete opera (triple album), recorded in 1985, conducted by the composer with the BBC Concert Orchestra and Marilyn Hill-Smith in the title role (triple album)
'George Lloyd showed that rarest of all qualities in a British composer, an almost unerring perception of what the stage requires. An extraordinary achievement.' The Times
'One of the most successful operas written by a British composer'. The Musical Times
'One of the most successful operas written by a British composer'. The Musical Times
George Lloyd was born in St Ives, Cornwall, on 28 June 1913. He started to learn the violin at the age of five and was a pupil of the violinist Albert Sammons for six years. He began composing when he was ten. A rigorous musical training ensued, including lessons in counterpoint from C. H. Kitson and composition studies with Harry Farjeon.
National prominence came with George Lloyd’s first opera, Iernin (1933-34), featuring a libretto by his father, William Lloyd. Based on a Cornish legend, the opera was premiered at The Pavilion, Penzance in November 1934, conducted by the composer. An endorsement by Frank Howes, music critic of The Times, led to Iernin being performed by the New English Opera Company at London’s Lyceum Theatre in June 1935. It was a sell- out for three weeks. The following year, whilst holidaying in Switzerland, George met Nancy Juvet. They married in January 1937. Nancy’s love and support throughout six decades of marriage was to prove pivotal to her husband’s continued creativity and indeed to his very survival.
Lloyd’s second opera, The Serf, was premiered by the English Opera Company at Covent Garden in London in 1938. William Lloyd supplied the libretto, setting the story in Yorkshire at the time of King Stephen. A review in The Stage newspaper described the opera as ‘full of promise for the future’. This prospect of even greater musical attainment was about to be shattered. When war broke out in September 1939, Lloyd joined the Royal Marines as a bandsman. In 1942 he served as a radio signaller on Arctic convoys to Murmansk on the cruiser HMS Trinidad. During one of these convoys the ship was struck by torpedoes, an oil tank ruptured and the transmitting station which Lloyd was helping to operate filled with oil. There were heavy casualties and he was almost drowned. He was mentally and physically traumatised to the extent that his doctors believed he would never recover. Nancy Lloyd refused to accept this verdict and slowly nursed her husband back to health.
Convalescing at Nancy’s lakeside home at Neuchatel, Switzerland, Lloyd began to write music again. The resulting Fourth and Fifth Symphonies (1946, 1948), among his finest works, were not performed at the time. After returning to England, he won an Arts Council commission to compose an opera for the Carl Rosa Company to tour around the country during the Festival of Britain in 1951. The ensuing stage work, John Socman, featured another libretto by his father, which told the story of a Wiltshire solider returning from Agincourt. The production, which premiered in Bristol in May 1951, was ruined by artistic differences between conductor and director. Shortly after this debacle Lloyd’s father died and George’s health collapsed again. George and Nancy Lloyd bought a small cottage at Folke in Dorset and began earning a living as market gardeners. After growing and selling carnations, they started mushroom farming. During these years of self- imposed exile, George composed for three hours before the working day. Consequently, when the Lloyds sold their smallholding in 1973 and returned to London, they brought with them a portfolio containing 20 years’ worth of scores.
A friendship with John Ogdon had far-reaching consequences. Lloyd assisted with the orchestration of the pianist-composer’s Piano Concerto and Ogdon recorded for EMI Lloyd’s piano piece African Shrine, shortly after premiering it in 1969. In the same year Ogdon took the score of Lloyd’s Eighth Symphony to the BBC and had it accepted. Eight years elapsed before it was broadcast. In the meantime, another of Lloyd’s champions, conductor Edward Downes, premièred the Eighth Symphony with the BBC Northern Symphony Orchestra, broadcast on Radio 3 in July 1977. In the succeeding five years, Downes tirelessly promoted and disseminated Lloyd’s music, including a performance with the BBC Philharmonic of the Sixth Symphony at the Proms in July 1981, the first appearance of the composer’s music at the celebrated summer music festival.
Inspired by his new-found popularity, Lloyd took up the baton himself. In 1986 he conducted the premiere of his Eleventh Symphony with the Albany Symphony Orchestra in New York. He also wrote his Twelfth Symphony for the orchestra. Other notable products of his glorious Indian summer of creativity include brass band piece Royal Parks, A Symphonic Mass and the 'Cello Concerto.
Having suffered heart problems for a year, George Lloyd died at University College Hospital, Marylebone, London, on 3 July 1998. A service was held a week later at Golders Green crematorium. His last work, the Requiem, written in memory of Diana, the Princess of Wales, was completed shortly before his death and premiered at the 2000 Oxford Contemporary Music Festival. Paul Conway, 2023
National prominence came with George Lloyd’s first opera, Iernin (1933-34), featuring a libretto by his father, William Lloyd. Based on a Cornish legend, the opera was premiered at The Pavilion, Penzance in November 1934, conducted by the composer. An endorsement by Frank Howes, music critic of The Times, led to Iernin being performed by the New English Opera Company at London’s Lyceum Theatre in June 1935. It was a sell- out for three weeks. The following year, whilst holidaying in Switzerland, George met Nancy Juvet. They married in January 1937. Nancy’s love and support throughout six decades of marriage was to prove pivotal to her husband’s continued creativity and indeed to his very survival.
Lloyd’s second opera, The Serf, was premiered by the English Opera Company at Covent Garden in London in 1938. William Lloyd supplied the libretto, setting the story in Yorkshire at the time of King Stephen. A review in The Stage newspaper described the opera as ‘full of promise for the future’. This prospect of even greater musical attainment was about to be shattered. When war broke out in September 1939, Lloyd joined the Royal Marines as a bandsman. In 1942 he served as a radio signaller on Arctic convoys to Murmansk on the cruiser HMS Trinidad. During one of these convoys the ship was struck by torpedoes, an oil tank ruptured and the transmitting station which Lloyd was helping to operate filled with oil. There were heavy casualties and he was almost drowned. He was mentally and physically traumatised to the extent that his doctors believed he would never recover. Nancy Lloyd refused to accept this verdict and slowly nursed her husband back to health.
Convalescing at Nancy’s lakeside home at Neuchatel, Switzerland, Lloyd began to write music again. The resulting Fourth and Fifth Symphonies (1946, 1948), among his finest works, were not performed at the time. After returning to England, he won an Arts Council commission to compose an opera for the Carl Rosa Company to tour around the country during the Festival of Britain in 1951. The ensuing stage work, John Socman, featured another libretto by his father, which told the story of a Wiltshire solider returning from Agincourt. The production, which premiered in Bristol in May 1951, was ruined by artistic differences between conductor and director. Shortly after this debacle Lloyd’s father died and George’s health collapsed again. George and Nancy Lloyd bought a small cottage at Folke in Dorset and began earning a living as market gardeners. After growing and selling carnations, they started mushroom farming. During these years of self- imposed exile, George composed for three hours before the working day. Consequently, when the Lloyds sold their smallholding in 1973 and returned to London, they brought with them a portfolio containing 20 years’ worth of scores.
A friendship with John Ogdon had far-reaching consequences. Lloyd assisted with the orchestration of the pianist-composer’s Piano Concerto and Ogdon recorded for EMI Lloyd’s piano piece African Shrine, shortly after premiering it in 1969. In the same year Ogdon took the score of Lloyd’s Eighth Symphony to the BBC and had it accepted. Eight years elapsed before it was broadcast. In the meantime, another of Lloyd’s champions, conductor Edward Downes, premièred the Eighth Symphony with the BBC Northern Symphony Orchestra, broadcast on Radio 3 in July 1977. In the succeeding five years, Downes tirelessly promoted and disseminated Lloyd’s music, including a performance with the BBC Philharmonic of the Sixth Symphony at the Proms in July 1981, the first appearance of the composer’s music at the celebrated summer music festival.
Inspired by his new-found popularity, Lloyd took up the baton himself. In 1986 he conducted the premiere of his Eleventh Symphony with the Albany Symphony Orchestra in New York. He also wrote his Twelfth Symphony for the orchestra. Other notable products of his glorious Indian summer of creativity include brass band piece Royal Parks, A Symphonic Mass and the 'Cello Concerto.
Having suffered heart problems for a year, George Lloyd died at University College Hospital, Marylebone, London, on 3 July 1998. A service was held a week later at Golders Green crematorium. His last work, the Requiem, written in memory of Diana, the Princess of Wales, was completed shortly before his death and premiered at the 2000 Oxford Contemporary Music Festival. Paul Conway, 2023
Lyrita Nimbus Arts Registered Charity No. 1203867
Trustees: Dr Richard Blackford, Adrian Farmer, Lynda Farmer, Charlotte de Rothschild, Antony Smith
Trustees: Dr Richard Blackford, Adrian Farmer, Lynda Farmer, Charlotte de Rothschild, Antony Smith