Cipriani Potter - Complete Symphonies, Vol. 4 (Howard Griffiths)

Information

Composer: Cipriani Potter

• Symphony in G minor (1832)
• Symphony in D major (1834)
• Duo concertant for Violin, Piano and Orchestra in A major op. 14

BBC National Orchestra of Wales

Howard Griffiths, conductor

Date: 2026

Label: CPO

_____________________

The fourth volume of cpo’s complete Cipriani Potter symphony series highlights the Symphony in G minor (1832), a masterwork so highly regarded that Richard Wagner personally conducted it in London in 1855 to critical and popular acclaim. Balancing the structural poise of Haydn and Beethoven with a distinctly original voice, the symphony underscores Potter's stature as one of 19th-century Britain’s premier orchestral composers. Rounding out the release are the earlier Symphony in B-flat major (1821) and the virtuosic Duo concertant for violin, piano and orchestra (1827), a brilliant three-movement showpiece that stands alongside the finest concerted works of Weber and Hummel.

Cipriani Potter (1792–1871) was a pivotal English composer, pianist, conductor, and educator who left an indelible mark on 19th-century British musical life. Born into a musical family in London, he received instruction from Thomas Attwood, William Crotch, and Joseph Wölfl before traveling across Europe, where he forged a personal connection with Beethoven and embraced the continental style. As a prominent member of the Philharmonic Society, Potter introduced British audiences to major works, giving the first English performances of Beethoven’s Third and Fourth Piano Concertos, while also championing Mozart, Schumann, and Brahms. Beyond his performing and compositional career, he served as Principal of the Royal Academy of Music for nearly three decades, mentoring generations of landmark musicians, including William Sterndale Bennett.

Howard Griffiths (b. 1950) is a British-Swiss conductor with a distinguished international career, acclaimed for his dynamic artistry, commitment to contemporary music, and support of young talent. Trained at London’s Royal College of Music, he has lived in Switzerland since 1981. He served as Artistic Director of the Zurich Chamber Orchestra (1996–2006) and General Music Director of the Brandenburg State Orchestra Frankfurt (2007–2018), leading acclaimed tours, award-winning recordings, and innovative education projects. Griffiths has guest-conducted leading orchestras worldwide and collaborated with renowned soloists and composers such as Gubaidulina, Pärt, and Henze. With nearly 200 recordings, including praised Brahms symphonies, he continues to champion both classical repertoire and emerging artists, notably through projects with the Orpheum Foundation.