Ruth Gipps: Symphony No. 3

Ruth Gipps (1921 – 1999) Symphony No. 3 Op 57 1. Moderato 2. Theme with variations 3. Scherzo 4. Final British composer Ruth Gipps is one of many female composers who received new attention in the 21st century. She began composing as a child and studied oboe and piano at the Royal College of Music. At the age of 26, she became the youngest woman to receive a doctorate in composition, with a thesis called The Cat, a cantata for mixed choir, soloists and orchestra. Her style is romantic and similar to the leading figure in British composition of the same period, Ralph Vaughan Williams. She was also inspired by the more modernist Arthur Bliss. Gipp's first two symphonies were composed already in her 20s and consist of sensual, slow movements with episodic structures. Symphony No. 3 is beautifully embellished with violin melodies and lasted until 1965. By then she had founded two orchestras of her own in London and was active as a teacher at Trinity College. Ruth Gipps wrote a total of five symphonies, the works she valued most; they were well received but never consistently incorporated into the repertoire. Gipps also composed seven concertos, chamber music, choral music, songs and keyboard works.