Ruth Gipps (1921-1999): Coronation Procession, Op. 41 (1953)
Ruth Gipps (1921-1999): Ambarvalia, Op. 70 (1988)
Ruth Gipps (1921-1999): Concerto, Op. 58 (1968) for Horn and Orchestra
Ruth Gipps (1921-1999): Cringlemire Garden, Op. 39 (1952) An Impression for String Orchestra
Ruth Gipps (1921-1999): Symphony No. 1 in F minor, Op. 22 (1942)

Prior to this review I had not heard any compositions by Ruth Gipps. I have listened to several releases of her orchestral music in preparation for the review and I am very glad that I have become acquainted with it. While the style is not especially innovative, and undoubtedly owes much to her teachers, most prominently Vaughan Williams to my mind , the quality of the tunes, orchestration and overall conception of many of the pieces caught my attention many times. For me, she is a composer I will listen out for in the future. If you have a liking for English early to mid 20th century composers of the Vaughan Williams/Gordon Jacobs style, a hint of the pastoral without it dominating the whole proceeding, then you should hear some Gipps.

This is the third in an excellent series on Chandos covering much of her orchestral music, including her symphonies. The current release includes her 1st symphony, composed during WWII, but also her Horn Concerto and three other pieces. They cover a broad span of her composing career, and show to me a remarkable consistency in the standard of composition. For me, the least inspiring is actually the first piece, Coronation Procession, composed in 1953, following its own path through a wide variety of episodes. Its more than a celebratory march, and even here there is a substantial level of creativity that caught me off guard the first time I listened.

However, all the other pieces exceed the quality of the first piece. High points for me were the gentle dance style of Ambarvalia, the luscious string passages and solo parts at the start of Cringlemire Garden, and the whole of the first Symphony. Cringlemire Garden is the most explicitly pastoral, composed for string orchestra bringing to mind some of the great string orchestra classics of British 20th century composers, Elgar's Serenade for Strings, Vaughan Williams' Tallis Fantasia, even (slightly) Britten's Frank Bridge Variations.

The quality of orchestration generally heard in these works reminds me of Vaughan Williams also, reflecting the sophistication of Ravel who Vaughan Williams studied with, and a factor I think is often forgotten in writings critical of overt pastoralism in some of his works. I hear some of that creative depth in Gipps, following tired and tested composing models rather than creating new ones perhaps, but with a high level of inspiration at times.

As we come to expect from the Chandos stable, recording quality is excellent, and the playing of the orchestra and horn soloist Martin Owen is highly satisfying. Conductor Rumon Gamba produces an engaging performance, as always in my experience, and the accompanying booklet outlines a lot of interesting detail about the composer and the compositions included in the release.