Crossing my toes as well - at least until I get cramp!

Oh, yes - the Potter symphonies are on a completely different level to Macfarren's, I agree.

I've never really got on with Bennett's later symphony, finding it rather wan, but I do enjoy the early one on Unicorn Kanchana. I'd rate Potter's symphonies higher generally than either of these works as well, I think.

A CD of Shakespeare overtures by Potter and Macfarren is a tantalising prospect indeed - maybe we could even throw in some Pierson too.

"We're gonna need a bigger disc..." as a shark-hunting, music-loving police chief might say. 

I remember being terribly disappointed by the Macfarren symphonies on CPO - and suprised too, as Chevy Chace is such a wonderful piece.

It's a long time since I listened to the disc but I seem to remember that both the performances and the sound quality were somewhat lacklustre as well. I wonder whether the 7th might come across better in a more sympathetic rendition? I persevered with that piece for a while (mainly because I had a soft spot for the vigorous first movement) but I gave up on the 4th very early on - "distinctly dull" sums it up perfectly!

All that said, I'd probably pre-order any new recordings of his symphonies that appeared.

Further to CPO's rather vague email response, Howard Griffiths confirmed on his Facebook page on 8th September that a recording session for more Potter was taking place:

"Guess where this is? Arweinydd Griffiths - must be Wales!
Recording Cipriani Potter with the wonderful BBC National Orchestra of Wales and some great young musicians. Mishka Momen, Jonian-Ilias Kadesha, Tim Posner and Philip Nelson."


The musicians in question seem to be pianist, violinist, cellist and double bass player, so I guess a recording of the Concertante on Les Folies d'Espagne is in the offing.