The Musical Force of Cyril Scott

After discussing the Romantic era last week, today I want to introduce you to English composer Cyril Scott (1879-1970). Essentially a “modern late-Romantic Impressionist” composer, Scott defined his musical style by combining contemporary trends with his own flare.

Biography

Born to a scholar father and amateur pianist mother, Cyril Scott showed musical talent at a young age. He began piano lessons when he was 12, started composing soon after, and enjoyed a brief surge of popularity as he helped lead British music into the 20th century.

Unfortunately, Scott did not enjoy fame as a composer throughout his life. However, he was an accomplished writer and published many books and pamphlets on occultism and alternative medicine. (Scott also enjoyed writing poetry and painting, which pursuits might have strongly influenced his music.)

For more information about his life, read here.

Musical Influence

By the time he died, Scott was only remembered for a few of his major works. However, he certainly made his mark on 20th century music! His contemporaries (including Debussy, Ravel, and Percy Grainger to name a few) appreciated Scott’s experimental approach to his music. And it is said that Stravinsky was greatly inspired while composing Rite of Spring by Scott’s use of free rhythm in his first piano sonata.

Musical Style

Scott’s friend (and fellow composer) John Ireland once said to him:

You were the first British composer to write music which was non-academic, free and individual in style and of primary significance.

And Scott’s music certainly lives up to this standard. He combined Romantic melodies with impressionist rhythms and modern harmonies to make new and exciting sounds. His music is extremely lyrical. The long, beautiful melodies are supported by lush (and often unresolved) harmonies, and Scott masterfully created worlds in each of his pieces. Because of his unique musical language, Scott became England’s face for contemporary classical music in the 20th century.

Here are some of my favorite pieces by Cyril Scott:

Symphony No. 1 (1899)

Scott was only 20 years old when he composed his first symphony! Its cheery nature carries through the work as it pulls musical ideas from Romanticism and images from the English countryside. The 2nd movement (6:43) opens with a haunting chorale, and the work ends with a masterful fugue (26:01).

Two Pierrot Pieces, Op. 35 (1904)

While I haven’t been able to find much background information on this set of piano solos, it’s safe to say the atmospheres in Op. 35 are based on the character Pierrot, a clown mime who originated in 17th century Italian theater.

The first in the set, Pierrot triste (“Sad Pierrot”) consists of a beautiful melody over a halting bass line. Chords alternate between chromatic and impressionist, and in some ways, it reminds me of Prokofiev‘s ballet writing:

And here’s the second Pierrot piece, Pierrot gai (“Jolly Pierrot”):

Rainbow Trout (1916)

Scott didn’t always write melodically, though; listen to his work Rainbow Trout:

Dramatic flourishes over open 5ths in the low bass provide interesting shimmer and color. The 5/4 meter results in an ambiguous and continually changing rhythm, while the muted dynamics add a sense of mystery.

Piano Quintet No. 1 (1924)

This work is so interesting! A lush piano supports the melodic and lyrical strings, and each movement has its own unique atmosphere. Moods shift from beautiful to strange and back as rhythms and harmonies constantly evolve.

Cello Concerto (1937)

Opening with an ambiguous and eerie atmosphere, Cello Concerto is crammed full of haunting melodies and virtuosic playing. Elements of Romanticism poke through in the form of lyrical-yet-modern themes, but the rhythmic treatment of the accompaniment combined with vague harmonies is what defines Scott’s musical language.

Unfortunately, Cyril Scott is still considered an obscure composer, and because of this many of his compositions have not been recorded. However, the 21st century has reintroduced Scott to the public as an important composer in British music history. I hope you find his music as interesting and unique as I do!