South African Orchestral Works - Gideon Fagan, Concert Overture in D - Ilala (Tone Poem) - W.H. Bell, A South African Symphony - National Symphony Orchestra of the South African Broadcasting Corp. - Richard Cock, Peter Marchbank - Marco Polo 1995

Here's a nice release that likely 99.9% of collectors never knew existed; make that double since there  is another "South African Orchestral Works" cd which although not labeled is considered Volume 1.
There isn't much music available by the composers at hand, although the aforementioned S.A.O.W. Vol. 1 contains Fagan's "Karoo Symphony" and there is a great recording of W.H. Bell's Viola Concerto, "Rosa Mystica" on Dutton Epoch that I posted quite awhile ago: http://nocturna-artificialia.blogspot.com/2014/08/stanley-bate-william-henry-bell-viola.html

Gideon Fagan's "Concert Overture in D" sounds somewhat like early Sibelius (the opening main theme could fool many listeners in fact!),  and it's a whistle-worthy and tuneful work. The Tone Poem "Ilala" is mostly pastoral in mood. The notes describe Ilala as expansive with music that suggests the wide open spaces of Central Africa. That I can hear. The notes continue, and I'm quoting: "The work is also characterized by very strong African rhythms" This is puzzling and nonsense imo as I do not hear a single note that suggests African music whatsoever, indigenous or otherwise. It's a nice piece, but don't waste time looking for the "local flavor".

Gideon Fagan

W.H. (William Henry) Bell's "A South African Symphony" is a sweeping, energetic work and a worthy addition to anyone's library - not to mention important in that one would be hard-pressed to list almost any symphonies penned in South Africa. Bell wrote four symphonies (this is his 4th) however I don't know if the other three have been performed at all. I for one would be most interested  to lend an ear!

W.H. Bell

Here is a link to a good bio on Gideon Fagan:

http://www.sacomposers.co.za/sacomposers/Fagan,_Gideon.html


And a small bio on W.H. Bell, although the liner notes here say mostly the same thing:

http://www.hymntime.com/tch/bio/b/e/l/bell_wh.htm



Enjoy!

South_African_Orchestral_Works-Tzadik.zip

http://www51.zippyshare.com/v/99SH2gGw/file.html