Brian 18

While realising I might be able to blog all 27 symphonies of Myaskovsky, I can't do similarly for Havergal Brian as all 32 of his symphonies have not been recorded yet. I first got interested in his music in the 1970's, near the end of his long life. I realise much of my interest was fascination with the story of a self-taught composer from an ordinary background who had composed a large number of, then, unperformed works (and I think many are still unperformed). 
I heard the first recording of any of Brian's symphonies from the Leicestershire School's Symphony Orchestra (how remarkable is that and so pleased to see that the orchestra still exists). Subsequently I was happy to acquire a recording of Brian's massive Gothic Symphony.
For all that I can't say I really like the 18th. I heard it a few weeks ago and, like this hearing, found it churning along with an air of composing for the sake of it. My critical jury is out on Havergal Brian. Maybe I prefer the back story to the music itself. I am looking forward to seeing how I react to the other symphonies.