This third volume of orchestral music by the Anglo-French composer Steve Elcock (b. 1957) features two symphonies and a quasi-concerto. Over the course of its two movements, the Sixth Symphony, subtitled ‘Tyrants Destroyed’, moves from grief to outrage, rising to a grimly triumphant conclusion. The one-movement Seventh – with some of its material derived from the words of a song Elcock heard in a dream – runs a gamut of emotion, from anger to heartbreak, in its impassioned narrative. Manic Dancing, a piano concerto in all but name, inhabits a complex world of driving rhythms, nostalgic flashbacks and hectic dance music – buoyant and good-natured, like Martinů on speed.

Steve Elcock’s music first came to the attention of the public as a result of the Toccata Classics recording of his Third Symphony and the triptych Choses renversées par le temps ou la destruction (TOCC0400), a Radio 3 record of the week in October 2017. Another Toccata Classics album, a first volume of chamber pieces (TOCC0506), was described in Gramophone as ‘terrific music’.

“Although Elcock’s distinctive musical universe sounds not quite like that of any other composer, there are influences from such diverse composers as Mahler, Simpson, Nielsen, Pettersson, and Shostakovich.... Most enthusiastically recommended, including the compelling performances by the Siberian SO under the secure conducting of Dmitry Vasiliev. A strong Want List contender.” – Fanfare, November 2020 (Orchestral Works Vol.2, TOCC0445)

“This first disc features his dark, titanic Third Symphony, its unstoppable energy brilliantly captured by the RLPO. … A triumphant debut recording.” - Stephen Pritchard, The Guardian ***** September 2017 (Orchestral Music Vol.1, TOCC0400)