The Frank Bridge Trust

	The music of Frank Bridge (1879-1941) was widely played in his younger days but suffered increasing neglect in the 1930s and for 30 years after his death. Since the 1970s there has been a steady re-awakening of interest not least as a result of the advocacy of Benjamin Britten (Bridge's pupil), such enthusiasts as Anthony Payne and Paul Hindmarsh and the activities of the Frank Bridge Bequest. The Bequest acts as a centre of information on all aspects of his life and music. Enquiries are welcome and should be addressed to:
The Chairman Frank Bridge Bequest Royal College of Music Prince Consort Road London SW7 2BS Tel: 020 7591 4394 E-mail: pbanks@rcm.ac.uk
Scores of many of the works are held at the Royal College of Music and can be seen by appointment with the librarian, tel: +44 (0)20 7589 3643
For more information on the Frank Bridge Bequest, please visit the Bequest's pages on the British Library net.

MUSIC IN PRINT

Bridge's major publisher in his lifetime was Stainer&Bell (+44 (0)20 8343 3033) from whom many scores, particularly of the chamber music, may be obtained. More recently, several of the important orchestral scores have come from Faber Music (+44 (0)20 7278 7436); Boosey&Hawkes (+44 (0)20 7054 7200) publish a substantial song volume and some orchestral works; and under the auspices of the Trust, Thames Publishing (trade distributor: William Elkin Music Services - tel: +44 (0)1603 721302; fax: +44 (0)1603 721801) issue over 30 volumes covering a wide range of vocal and instrumental music.

RECORDINGS

Among recent CDs of Bridge's music available in the UK are: an EMI disc which includes major orchestral works like The Sea, Enter Spring and Summer, in performances by the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra under Sir Charles Groves; a BMG/Conifer disc (75605 51327-2) on which the Britten Sinfonia plays a selection of the lighter orchestral works; a Chandos disc (CHAN 9742) including the Sextet, played by the Nash Ensemble; the complete string quartets (four) played by the Bridge Quartet on the Meridian label (CDE 84369 and CDE 84311); and the complete solo songs on two Hyperion discs (CDA 67181/2) with distinguished singers accompanied by Roger Vignoles. Recent recordings have included:

Frank Bridge: Orchestral Works, volume 1
Enter Spring (1927, H174), [18:36]
Isabella (1907, H78) [18.00]
Two Poems for Orchestra (1915, H118) [12:55]
Mid of the Night (1903, H30, first recording) [26.06]
BBC National Orchestra of Wales, Richard Hickox, conductor (2001: Chandos, CHAN9950)

English String Miniatures, volume 2
Sally in our Alley (1916, H119) [3:09]
Cherry Ripe (1916, H119) [3:50]
Sir Roger De Covereley (1922/1938, H155) [4:29]
Northern Sinfonia, David Lloyd-Jones conductor (2001: Naxos, 8.555068)

English String Miniatures, volume 4
Valse Intermezzo (1902, H17) [6:35]
Scherzo Phantastick (1901, H6) [6:06]
Northern Sinfonia, David Lloyd-Jones conductor (2002: Naxos, 8.555070)

BOOKS

A revised version of Anthony Payne's authoritative study of the music, Frank Bridge: radical and conservative, was issued in 1999 by Thames Publishing (trade distributor: William Elkin Music Services - tel: +44 (0)1603 721302; fax: +44 (0)1603 721801).

PERFORMANCE GRANTS

Grants are given to both professionals and amateurs for performances and recordings of major Bridge works or substantial groups of his smaller works. Apply to the Chairman, giving full details of the work to be recorded or performed, the performer and the venue.