Tragic prelude
? 1900-02

LOST - MS lost, probably discarded by HB before 1907

orchestra

unpublished

In a letter in 1949  (when the composer was 73), Brian wrote: 
»My father died at 23 [ie when Havergal was 23] & for some strange reason I started to write large works.  The first was called "Tragic Prelude".   Eventually I obtained permission to send the full score to Halford & he sent for me.  His first words were ' "Tragic Prelude" - prelude to what - we can't have a prelude for nothing'.  A fugue was out of my head in those days... I don't know what happened to Tragic Prelude - it was my first orchestral effort & I still remember Halford's demonstration in musical tautology.«

unperformed


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