The English composer Granville Bantock (1868-1946), almost forgotten nowadays, was one of the first to convey the Rubaiyat to music. In 1906 he finished the first part of a colossal work, called 'Omar Khayyám', for three soloists, choir and symphony orchestra. It had its first performance that year in Birmingham, followed a few years later by a second and third part. Although it enjoyed some popularity in its days, it has rarely been performed since.
In 2001 conductor Vernon Handley recorded two sections from 'Omar Khayyam' on CD, in a selection of Bantock's works, called 'Thalaba the Destroyer' (Hyperion, CDA 67250) and, as far as we know, the BBC has a recording from 1979.
A new recording is announced for October this year, by Vernon Handley with the BBC Symphony Orchestra, containing a complete performance of 'Omar Khayyam' (Chandos).
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Bantock: Omar Khayyam. Review by Steven Ritter